Free Download Vivid Dreams: How to Avoid Nightmares This Christmas

As we approach the festive season, many of us are looking forward to a well-deserved break from the hustle and bustle of daily life. However, for some, the holiday period can be a time of disrupted sleep patterns, leading to vivid dreams and nightmares that can leave you feeling bleary-eyed and exhausted.

So, what's behind this phenomenon? The key is a stage of sleep called Rapid Eye Movement (REM), which is exacerbated by disturbed sleep. During this phase, our brains act similarly to when we're awake, allowing for body movements, vocal sounds, and vivid dreams - including nightmares that can be particularly unpleasant.

Dr Neil Stanley, former chairman of the British Sleep Society, explains: 'If you're sleep-deprived, we see greater sleep intensity - and that in turn leads to greater brain activity while you're dozing.' He adds: 'In order for us to get a good night's sleep, we need to lose around 1C of our internal body temperature, which sits at around 37C. Sleeping in a bedroom that's too hot is the perfect recipe for vivid dreams and nightmares.'

But why does this happen? One reason is that our bodies struggle to lose heat when we're sleeping in a room that's too warm. Normally, we lose heat through our heads or faces, which poke out of the duvet. However, if the bedroom is too hot, our body's core temperature is unable to cool down, leading to disturbed sleep and vivid dreams.

So, what can you do to avoid nightmares this Christmas? One simple solution is to regulate the temperature of your sleeping quarters. By keeping your bedroom at a comfortable temperature, you'll be more likely to get a good night's sleep - which means fewer vivid dreams and nightmares.

By taking steps to ensure a peaceful night's sleep, you'll arrive at the big day feeling refreshed and ready to take on whatever the festive season throws your way. So, don't let nightmares ruin your holiday - try our top tips for a restful night's sleep and wake up feeling merry and bright!

Free download vivid dreams