Trying to get rid of nightmares

by Brian White (Subscribe to Brian White's posts)
Nov 29th 2007 1:00PM

Martha covered this last night, and it's something dear to my heart -- preventing nightmares. Many of us have experienced nightmares of some type. Stress, fear (irrational or not) and other factors all can lead to nightmares. If you're tired of the unsettling these dreams cause, what can you do to curb them?

It's hard to say that the conscious mind has control over dream types, but according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, there are things you can do to stop or greatly reduce the number of bad dreams you have. Oddly enough, many of these are simple steps -- nothing out of the ordinary here.

It's one of the best things you can do for yourself if you have nightmares -- confront the problem and deal with it without using prescription drugs or other potential semi-solutions. If you have regular nightmares, it's up to you to use a root cause approach and delete them from everyday life.

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Comments (24)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

charlie pate 11-29-2007 @ 5:29PM

My sister died, unexpectedly in July. My Mother committed suicide in August. Are there any "simple steps", to curb my nightmares?

Evster 11-29-2007 @ 5:43PM

This article is not helpful; there is no information that a reader would benefit from.

Don 11-29-2007 @ 6:17PM

Charlie, sorry to hear about your tragedies. Time heals most wounds. American culture for some reason thinks that everyone should be happy all the time, but it's perfectly ok and natural to feel depressed and traumatized by life events. If you try to avoid or numb that process I think it will be more harmful in the long run.
Take care.

jim 11-29-2007 @ 6:38PM

I've had nightmares sinse Vietnam and your headline says how to get rid of them---Deal with them is what you say, You should have your butt kicked or computer burn't for leading headlines like that and not even have a fing answer. Ass----

Dan Collura 11-29-2007 @ 6:38PM

If the Liberal Press would stop showing pictures of Hillary Clinton most Americans would stop having nightmares.

mary 11-29-2007 @ 6:47PM

Charlie, sorry for your loss, nightly prayer is your answer you will be in mine tonight.

Lizzee 11-29-2007 @ 6:49PM

i think the cause of nightmares has something to do with a poor eating habbits. whenever i eat at McDonalds, i get nightmare. i think that bad food choices leads to bad dreams. maybe our body is trying to tell us something is wrong when we have bad dreams or nightmares. my sollution is a healthier diet and less fast food. :]

mary 11-29-2007 @ 6:52PM

I have to agree with Jim useless article people who have nightmares "deal with it" whatever "it" maybe while we are awake we have no control when we are sleeping. I have nightmares because I was abused (beaten) as a child and I have delt with it but it doesn't stop the nightmares.

jude 11-29-2007 @ 6:54PM

Children's Defense Fund’s Leave No Child Behind® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start, and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities.

CDF provides a strong, effective voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby, or speak for themselves.

Particular attention to the needs of poor and minority children and those with disabilities.

CDF encourages preventive investment before children get sick or into trouble, drop out of school, or suffer family breakdown.

CDF began in 1973 and is a private, nonprofit organization supported by foundation and corporate grants and individual donations. CDF has never taken government funds.

Leah 11-29-2007 @ 7:41PM

I suffered from nightmares almost every night for a year. Some things to try:
Try not to eat a few hours before bed. I noticed that if I ate right before I slept that my nightmares were worse.
Do not sleep with the tv on. I noticed that I would often incorporate what was on the tv in my nightmares and it seemed more distressing. I was more upset upon awakening and I felt more tired.
Check the side effects of your medications. I noticed that some of my regular meds had nightmares as a side effect. If this is the case, you may want to speak with your doctor about a solution.
Try some relaxation techniques. Some things as simple as stretching, walking throughout the day to relieve stress, meditation, prayer, etc. Try different things or research on the internet to see what works for you.
I hope you get some relief or find something helpful!
Charlie - I hope you find some peace. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Good luck and God bless!

Kristin 11-29-2007 @ 7:18PM

Thanks for absolutely nothing. That was really pointless.

John Cordova 11-30-2007 @ 9:54AM

At first I was having nightmares that I was still in the military service after months of that I started having nightmares of falling into a snake pit, tigers chasing me or being at the edge of a cliff now all the above are gone I dream of someone trying to attack me while I am in bed and I can't wake up so with all my strength I force my self to lunge at the person and I end up falling off my bed as a result I get injured in one way or another.

Liz 11-29-2007 @ 7:31PM

My best wishes to every one of you who is dealing with very difficult situations or memories.

I'm no expert beyond my own experience but this these are suggestions based on what has helped me:

1. STOP watching bad TV, if you are doing that. The CSI, SVU-type shows are hard on the emotions, I think. Find light-hearted books on tape or read a light-hearted book or listen to very soothing music.

2. Try breathing meditation, where you take slow, quiet breaths, focusing on that breathing and letting difficult memories and thoughts pass by -- as much as possible. There are many meditation groups throughout the country.

3. Keep a gratitude journal which sounds corny but may help to read over before you go to sleep. Just record simple things, like beautiful weather, a welcome phone call, an entertaining walk with your dog.

4. Ask close friends or family members to wish you sweet dreams. Maybe one of two could put that into words on a card you can read over.

5. And of course get any professional help you feel you need.

Best wishes to all.

dave 11-29-2007 @ 7:40PM

If you drink a pint of Grey Goose vodka you will sleep right through them

Kelly 11-29-2007 @ 7:41PM

When I saw this article I was hoping to find some resolution I have had nighytmares since I was a child. I have a good job an average life and no real issues. So I am not sure what I am supposed to confront. I hate it when an ariticle is misleading and I feel AOL should remove this one.

Jamie 11-29-2007 @ 7:47PM

George Bush gives me nightmares!!!

Jim 11-29-2007 @ 7:48PM

George Bush gives me nightmares!!!

tysmoochy 11-29-2007 @ 8:00PM

Once I started eating less processed carbs my nightmares were almost gone. I also noticed that if I have a corn product I get them bad. I also had my Mom and son who told me they had nightmares and my son had corn on the cob the day before and my Mom popcorn. I'm really seeing a pattern.

Mary 11-29-2007 @ 8:38PM

Charlie, my heart goes out to you. I read that time heals all wounds, I am sick of that saying. It doesn't. The only thing that you can do is pray and it will get easier to deal with as time goes on. That is something that you will never get over but you will learn how to deal with it. Remember that your mom and sister would want you to be happy and remember the good times. Hang in there.

I lost my first born in a car accident in 1989. He was only 6 mths old. I have never healed but I have learned to deal with it. There are some days that are worse than others. I as writing this with experience.

dwulkan 11-29-2007 @ 8:41PM

I have had occaisional nightmares for over 50 years, since I was a child. Why is there an assumption that they are bad, or unhealthy or unnatural. Perhaps they are one of life's mysteries--the stuff of dreams....

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