Nightmares seem so real and terrible that they make you startled awake. It’s possible that this will make your heart race, give you sweaty hands, and fill your head with thoughts of terrifying scenarios. You may be able to reduce your heart rate and blood pressure, as well as relieve muscle tension, by triggering the relaxation response in your body.
Guided imagery:
When you wake up, the images from a horrible dream may still be quite clear in your memory. These images may make you feel nervous. Guided imagery may help. Imagine that you have traveled to an entirely new and serene location, such as a secluded part of the forest or a beach with a babbling brook. Physical relaxation may be achieved by focusing on calming aspects of the surrounding environment.
Techniques of Relaxation:
The tension created by a nightmare may be alleviated in part by using many additional techniques of general relaxation. After waking up from a nightmare, some tried-and-true techniques for easing tension and stress include breathing from the diaphragm, practicing progressive muscular relaxation, and participating in mindful meditation.
Journaling:
Writing about your nightmares in a journal may help you process the event and work through the emotions involved. Keeping a journal can also help lower the severity of the feelings. If you’ve been lying in bed for twenty or thirty minutes and still haven’t been able to fall asleep, getting out of bed and doing something quiet until you feel sleepy again may be an effective strategy for you to use.
Final Word
There are many different ways in which a person’s sleep might be disrupted due to nightmares. People who have problems sleeping due to nightmares may find it difficult to quiet their racing thoughts and fall asleep again. This is because nightmares make it challenging for people to relax and let their minds wander. Some individuals are so terrified of the nightmares that they avoid going to bed because of them.
