Coronavirus is affecting our health in more ways than direct viral infection. Twenty-two percent of us are reporting trouble sleeping, with Gen Xers being the most notably affected (Sleep Help, 2020).
We are scared, our lives have been completely upended, we no longer have our regular routines to distract and anesthetize us, and, even if we are COVID-19 free, we are developing a nasty case of cabin fever. Further, without the distractions of our normal routines and with the stirring of deep emotions within us, we are coming face to face with our own demons (and the demons of our household members). It’s no wonder we are having trouble sleeping.
Not only are we having trouble sleeping, anecdotal evidence suggests that we are dreaming less and when we do dream, our dreams tend to be more vivid and disturbing. Why is this?
When we experience traumatic or very stressful events, our psyche often blocks not only memories of the trauma but memories of our dreams, so we aren’t disturbed by them. If we do dream and are having disturbing dreams, as much as we may not like them, they are showing up for a reason. This is our psyche’s way of saying that something needs our attention. Like painful or traumatic events, dreams won’t go away simply by ignoring them. Further, the reality we are living in right now is essentially a bad dream. It’s as if the dream world and the physical world have been transposed. This may account for why we are not remembering our night dreams; that is, we are living them during the day (Steele, 2020).
What can you do about insomnia? Believe it or not, there is wisdom in insomnia. Some say that during this time, the veil between the worlds, the spirit world and earthly world, is thinnest, so messages from the spirit world are able to reach us (Andrews, 1993). Scientists, inventors, and revolutionaries have used insomnia, dreams and dreamlike states for millennia to develop theories, invent new technology, and see the future (e.g., Albert Einstein, Harriet Tubman, Alexander the Great). John Lennon said, “The best songs are the ones that come to you in the middle of the night and you have to get up and write them down, so you can go back to sleep,” (Moss, 2009). Your brain is incredibly efficient and rarely engages in mental processes unless they are useful, so trust that it’s trying to help you, trying to work something out. And, it doesn’t take a Ph.D. in psychology to recognize that there are some major things our brains are trying to work out right now, both individually and as a collective.
Rather than viewing insomnia as the bane of your existence and fighting it, view it as helpful and literally ask, “Insomnia, why are you here?” Use a journal or audio app on your phone:
1. Write or say anything that comes to mind, no matter how relevant it seems (Freud called this free association). If it’s popping into your mind, it’s popping in for a reason.
2. If something resonates or rings true, you’ve likely hit pay dirt and uncovered some deep wisdom.
3. Turn that wisdom into an axiom, affirmation, or warning and apply it to your life.
What can you do about disturbing dreams? As counterintuitive as it seems, as with insomnia, I would also recommend embracing the message of disturbing dreams by asking why they are here. Next, spend some time being present to and understanding your feelings and thoughts surrounding the dream:
1. What feelings/thoughts/bodily sensations are showing up for you?
2. What’s this about?
3. What does it all mean to you?
4. Write or say anything that comes to mind, no matter how relevant it seems.
5. If something resonates or rings true, note that.
6. Turn that wisdom into an axiom, affirmation, or warning and apply it to your life.
If you feel overwhelmed, it’s okay to take a break and try some of the strategies I’ve discussed below. Even if we hate what we feel and find it overwhelming, know that our systems are wired to handle the emotional energy we produce.
1. Reach out to a loved one for support.
2. Do something kind for yourself (e.g., treat yourself to your favorite show, book, food; spend time in nature).
3. Use a relaxation technique, like diaphragmatic breathing. https://www.healthline.com/health/diaphragmatic-breathing#steps-to-do
4. Try a guided meditation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_O1R9T0Uu4
5. If you don’t feel like you can manage what’s showing up, find a therapist or healer. This is what we are here for.
6. If you’d like more help working with your dreams or insomnia, you can reach me through my website to schedule a consultation for therapy, a dream interpretation session, or preregister for my online course, “Dream Interpretation: The Basics and BEYOND.”
https://www.briannamannphd.com
References
Andrews, T. (1993). Animal Speak: The Spiritual and Magical Powers of Creatures Great and Small. Woodbury, Minnesota: Llewelyn Publications.
Moss, R. (2009). The Secret History of Dreaming. Novato, California: New World Library.
Sleep Help. (2020). The Effects of COVID-19 on Sleep: Exploring How the Coronavirus Impacts People’s Sleep Habits. Retrieved from https://www.sleephelp.org/covid-19-impact-on-sleep/?mod=article_inline
Steele, M. (2020, March 23, 2020). [Mentoring Session: March 23rd, 2020].