Brits experiencing ‘extremely vivid’ dreams and nightmares to make up for ‘little stimuli in dull lockdown life’
BRITS are experiencing “extremely vivid” dreams and nightmares to make up for “little stimuli” under lookdown, it has been reported.
Researchers have been asking people to fill out an online survey about their dreams in order to analyse how coronavirus is being experienced “unconsciously”.
Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
The research is being carried out by Lockdown Dreams, which is an independent group of postgraduate psychoanalysis students in London.
They say the most common trend so far is people are saying they are experiencing more detailed dreams that usual, which is a sharp contrast to the day-to-day lockdown life.
In one example, someone tried to buy broken biscuits from a supermarket with children’s TV presenters.
In another bizarre dream, a person climbed into a plane to escape a collapsing building but when they realised there was no pilot they hid in the toilet instead.
Jake Roberts, a spokesperson for the group, told The Guardian: “Everyone’s quite shocked by the fact that they’re having incredibly vivid dreams.
“That’s so interesting because our material waking lives have become, in a way, more dull
“But this is being reflected in a more vivid dreaming life.
“Our minds are obviously reaching out to try and make something from the little stimuli we’re receiving being locked down, and bringing up things we’ve completely forgotten about.”
He said that respondents have said they are able to recall their dreams more often such as being able to describe smells, emotions or places.
Dr Nick Blackburn, a psychoanalytic psychotherapist, said a recurring theme with his patients is they have dreams they are breaking the rules or being punished.
He said one example was a patient said they dreamy they were given a lifetime ban from their favourite restaurant because they were caught having sex in a cubicle.
Some patients have had dreams about empty supermarket shelves, not being able to clean their bodies, or dreaming of blocked drains and toilets.
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS - STAY IN THE KNOW
Don't miss the latest news and figures - and essential advice for you and your family.
To receive The Sun’s Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, sign up here.
To follow us on Facebook, simply ‘Like’ our Coronavirus page.
Get Britain’s best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day – find out more.
Other experts have said they’ve noticed an uptick in people reporting vivid or disturbing dreams.
Dreams expert Jane Teresa Anderson told The Sun: “Most people are saying to me that their dreams are not only vivid, but they’re movie-length dramas.
“Often our dreams are more vivid when they’re more emotional.”
Dr Ian Wallace, psychologist and dreams guru, explained that many people are remembering their dreams more than usual.
MOST READ IN HEALTH NEWS
He said: “Quite simply, many people are no longer waking up to their usual alarm – which would usually switch off any dreaming activity and make it fade straight away.
“Quite simply, many people are no longer waking up to their usual alarm – which would usually switch off any dreaming activity and make it fade straight away.”
Both experts suggest taking a deep breath when you wake up, and thinking over what each of your dreams may have meant – unpicking how you feel in real life, before solving the problems as best you can.
Give now to The Sun's NHS appeal
BRITAIN’s four million NHS staff are on the frontline in the battle against coronavirus.
But while they are helping save lives, who is there to help them?
The Sun has launched an appeal to raise £1MILLION for NHS workers.
The Who Cares Wins Appeal aims to get vital support to staff in their hour of need.
We have teamed up with NHS Charities Together in their urgent Covid-19 Appeal to ensure the money gets to exactly who needs it.
The Sun is donating £50,000 and we would like YOU to help us raise a million pounds, to help THEM.
No matter how little you can spare, please donate today here