Do You Know What Your Dreams Mean?

by Kristi Caporoso

There are hundreds of facts and myths out there about dreaming.  What do dreams mean? How long do they last? Can you change how you dream? The actual facts about dreams would surprise most people. For example, dreaming can actually help your learning process. Instead of staying up all night before a big exam, a good nights sleep or a nap right beforehand will be more beneficial. Sleep is the time when your brain organizes information and integrates it in new ways. Therefore sleeping after studying for an exam gives your brain time to consolidate the information and process it further.
Dreams also increase in length as the night goes on. The first dream you have is typically five minutes in length, and the last one can be up to an hour long.  And yes, you can have more than one in one night: sometimes even dozens.
What about pleasant dreams? Ones that you wish you could stay in longer, or go back to sleep and return to? Apparently, this is in fact possible. Specialists say all you have to do is stay very still after waking, and it is possible to then remain in your dream-like state for the following several minutes. Another frequently asked question is whether or not dreams actually mean anything.  The answer is yes and no. Every bizarre dream you have can be interpreted: you just have to look closely. For example, the elephant or balloon in your dream might not mean anything in itself, but may in some abstract way represent something concerning you or prevalent in your life. Since sleep is the time during which you consolidate information, dreaming sometimes tries to do this in a more abstract way. Being frequently afflicted with recurring dreams or nightmares can also be an indicator of things troubling you in your awake state. If you have one of these, pay attention to the underlying similarities or messages in each one and it may clue you in to what your dream is trying to tell you.
Still want to spend more time dreaming? If your dreams in the asleep state aren't enough for you or you are trying to find a new way to relax, there is a process known as wakeful dreaming. Wakeful dreaming is different from daydreaming. To achieve wakeful dreaming, try to find a quiet, peaceful place and remember a dream you recently had. Let the dream unfold and "re-energize." It is then possible to further interpret your dream, or merely relax in the dream state if that's all you wish to do.

Source: http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/9-things-about-dreams?page=3