While my dreams do entertain me when I remember them I know dreams are only my brain defragmenting.
Memories are sorted, moved around and stored during dreams.
With sleep deprivation people become fragmented.
Sometimes to the point of not being able to tell where reality ends and illusion begins.
Sleep allows our brains to sort memories and group them together, then store them for recall. It actually improves our memory to dream.
Our subconscious constructs scenarios during this defragmenting process.
We recall some of these scenarios as dreams.
Sometimes when we are stressed, we construct terrible scenarios which wake us feeling uneasy. Inner stress and fears cause many nightmares.
I don't have nightmares anymore because I am neither stressed or afraid.
I do have strange dreams. I am on meds and that might have a lil to do with that.
I practice meditation and thru meditation I have more control over my thoughts and it transfers to my dreams to allow me control in my dreams.
When I don't get a full 8 hours of sleep it is because actual physical pain wakes me and keeps me awake. At my age, my condition and my activity level, 5 hours a night is usually enough to keep me from fragmenting.
Difficulty falling, then staying asleep can be caused by many factors.
Health issues, pain & sickness can keep you awake.
Stress can keep you from sleeping enough.
Environment can prevent the relaxed state needed for you to fall asleep.
Drugs or alcohol use can prevent the relaxed state needed for a good night of sleep.
Some people respond to white noise, others total darkness.
Its important to prepare yourself to sleep.
Perform the same preparation routine about the same time every night (or day if you work at night). Think of it as acclimatizing your body for sleep.
Lower lights, turn down radios and television, talk softer, wear soft comfortable clothes, refrain from eating or drinking near bedtime.
Refrain from exercising near bedtime. Slow down.
Use mental disassociation techniques to reduce stress levels. Think about things which give you a peaceful feeling while laying there with your eyes closed.
Slow your breathing, taking long steady breaths naturally.
Its a process of slowing your body down so sleep can happen.
When I was working split shifts, I flexed my toes and fingers in a gentle rhythm concentrating on the motion.
I also listened to (still do) ambient trance music.
This website might help...
Dream Therapy, Lucid Dreaming, and How to Heal Your Life
http//exemplore.com/dreams/Dream-Therapy-Lucid-Dreaming-and-How-to-Heal-Your-Life
Lucid dreaming is the state of being able to influence your dream despite still being asleep.
Dream therapy is a method of changing deeply ingrained unconscious patterning through dreams.
The human mind has an unconscious aspect where it stores everything that is not constantly referred to. Within that filing system lies bad experiences which have set templates for what we believe, and how we respond to future situations.
You can find a lot of websites dealing with dreams.
Healthy Sleep Habits
http://sleepeducation.org/essentials-in-sleep/healthy-sleep-habits
Much of their list aligns with what I have already written.
It works.
Quick Sleep Tips
Follow these tips to establish healthy sleep habits:
Keep a consistent sleep schedule. Get up at the same time every day, even on weekends or during vacations.
Set a bedtime that is early enough for you to get at least 7 hours of sleep.
Don’t go to bed unless you are sleepy.
If you don’t fall asleep after 20 minutes, get out of bed.
Establish a relaxing bedtime routine.
Use your bed only for sleep and sex.
Make your bedroom quiet and relaxing. Keep the room at a comfortable, cool temperature.
Limit exposure to bright light in the evenings.
Turn off electronic devices at least 30 minutes before bedtime.
Don’t eat a large meal before bedtime. If you are hungry at night, eat a light, healthy snack.
Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy diet.
Avoid consuming caffeine in the late afternoon or evening.
Avoid consuming alcohol before bedtime.
Reduce your fluid intake before bedtime.