Why do we have bad dreams?

After a long day at work or at school, you just want to drop into your cozy bed and spend the night relaxed and peaceful. There are times, however, when we’re suddenly jolted out of our peacefulness because of a bad dream. Ever wondered what causes these? The Dailypedia has listed 6 main reasons why we have bad dreams.

1. Anxiety and Stress

Sometimes we experience traumatic life events that cause us anxiety and stress. According to the International Association for the Study of Dreams (IASD), a major surgery or illness, grieving over the loss of a loved one, and suffering or witnessing an assault or major accident can trigger bad dreams and nightmares. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is also a common cause of recurrent nightmares. PTSD is a condition of persistent mental and emotional stress occurring as a result of injury or severe psychological shock. Tarumatic experiences typically involve disturbance of sleep and constant vivid recall of the experience.

You say you don’t have any traumatic life experiences? Everyday stressors, such as job or financial anxiety, or major life transitions such as moving or divorce, can also cause nightmares.