Sometimes sad, sometimes terrifying, nightmares are a nuisance. Although some people seem to have more of them than others, these bad dreams are inevitable: everyone has had them, and several times. But according to one researcher, there is a technique that can reduce their occurrence.
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Nightmares are caused by many different reasons
Although they may seem random, nightmares can actually be caused by a number of factors. For example, high stress or anxiety can increase the risk of having bad dreams. Other factors include taking medication, high fever or watching a recent horror movie.
But according to Dr Calvin Kai-Ching Yu, from Hong Kong Yan University, lying on your back, stomach or side can also have an impact on the type of images that will populate your dreams.
The pressure exerted on certain parts of our body
Dr Calvin Kai-Ching Yu said:
Different sleeping positions can create pressure on different parts of the body, and body sensations can be the source of dream elements.
So what position should you sleep in to minimise the chance of having bad dreams? He said:
Studies have shown that people who sleep on their backs have more nightmares and have more difficulty remembering their dreams.
This is because the position can generate back pain and cause certain problems (snoring, sleep apnea) that would disturb the quality of sleep.
The good news is that Dr Calvin Kai-Ching Yu's recommendations also apply to pleasant dreams! People who sleep on their sides would have fewer nightmares. And don't tell anyone, but sleeping on your stomach is said to promote erotic dreams. However, the researcher advises against this position, as it is less comfortable and less restful.
This article was translated from Gentside FR.
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