You never know what kind of midnight trip your brain will take you on once you lay down to get some rest. As sleep progresses deeper into the phases, the mind conjures up some truly absurd visions. For example, experiencing frequent nightmares about falling might disclose some intriguing psychological insights.
These often occurring nightmares typically include the dreamer (you) falling from heights, such as over a cliff or building, or just falling aimlessly through the sky for no apparent cause. According to professional psychiatrist Dr. Nereida Gonzalez-Berrios, “the precise significance and importance of falling dreams rely upon the setting of the dream, the dreamer’s waking life concerns, and the feelings they may have had after waking up from such a dream.”
A falling dream typically represents a lack of control over a significant circumstance. Gonzalez-Berrios claims that it also “indicates fear, horror, and anxiety that results from losing hold over major things.” The sensation of falling could be a metaphor for powerlessness. But once more, if you consider a few other hints, such as where you’re falling from, why you’re falling, and how it makes you feel, you’ll be able to interpret your dream more precisely. Continue reading to learn how to interpret various nighttime falling scenarios.
Having nightmares of falling from the sky
Ever experienced a dream that you’re falling through the air helplessly? The most probable time for this to occur is when you’re going through a significant life shift, according to Dorothy Chambers, a sleep specialist at the sleep product review website Sleep Junkie. ‘Falling into the unknown’ or ‘feeling out of control’ are two possible interpretations.
Another usual occurrence is to experience a sky-falling dream that moves slowly, almost like a movie. According to Chambers, a sluggish descent from a height might signify that you are at a crossroads and are unable to decide. It basically implies that while you descend, you are in limbo.
Dreams About Falling and Falling Over
The strange dream in which you trip over something and lurch forward or put your foot down but nothing is there is another prevalent dream of falling. According to Chambers, having this dream can be a sign that you’re concerned about lagging behind, perhaps in your work. It’s possible that your anxiety of stumbling or making a mistake has caused you to actualize your dream’s literal meaning.
I Have Dreams That I Will Fall Off A Cliff
Those falling dreams when you lose your balance and fall, maybe down the edge of a cliff, are unquestionably on the nightmare end of the dream range. According to Kirsty Lynn, a dream interpreter, metaphysician, and the creator of the dream dictionary resource Luciding, this might indicate that you’re concerned about “losing contact” with an essential aspect of your life. She speculates that “your pals could be slipping away and developing new acquaintances.” Another possibility is that you are losing sight of the promotion you were looking for.
A dream in which you plunge from a cliff may also symbolise impending terror. Despite not knowing the exact conclusion of a scenario, Chambers claims that it makes you anxious nonetheless.
Having nightmares about dropping off a building
Dreaming about dropping from a building is sometimes frightening, but it may also be instructive. These, according to Gonzalez-Berrios, also represent a “fear of the unknown.” If you dangle off the edge by one finger before sliding and falling, it can mean you’re feeling down about yourself or that you weren’t successful in your endeavours.
Dreams Regarding Falling and Being Hurt
According to Gonzalez-Berrios, if you trip and feel pain in your dream, it’s quite likely a sign that you’re struggling in some manner in real life. A indication to look at your relationships in your waking life for any difficulties your mind wants you to address may be if you fall and are harmed because someone pushed you, since this is often a sign that you feel deceived.
Dreams of Dropping From An Elevator
The highly painful falling dream variant of falling down stairs or an elevator shaft might be a sign that “your emotional condition is degrading swiftly,” according to Chambers. You need to take a seat, thoroughly consider what has recently occurred to you, and work on regaining your confidence. These in general may point to a decline in your sense of self-worth.
Dreams About Witnessing Another Person Fall
You could dream that someone you’re concerned about, such as a friend or relative, is falling. The problem with them is that “maybe their health isn’t good” or that they are experiencing financial hardship, according to Chambers.
Feeling Like You’re Falling As You’re Dozing Off
Have you ever felt as though you were about to tumble out of bed and your body really braced for it? This experience is distinct from the other falling dream situations, it should be noted. A licenced clinical psychologist named Dr. Holly Schiff, PsyD, claims that many people encounter the former when they go off to sleep or feel like they are about to fall asleep. She explains to Bustle that the sensation is caused by an uncontrollable muscle jolt known as a hypnic jerk, which may physically drag you out of sleep.
According to Schiff, “this occurs as your body is shifting from consciousness to light sleep, or the hypnagogic state.” “While your body is preparing for sleep by achieving a deep level of relaxation, the brain may interpret this as the body falling and posing a threat. Therefore, the hypnic jerk’s objective is to jolt you back to consciousness.
Even if you aren’t falling, it will appear as though you are. Schiff argues that after you fall asleep again, you’ll get into the deeper stages, such as REM sleep, where the mind is quite active and dreams are possible.
What to Do If Your Dreams Keep Falling Apart
Get a notebook to use as a dream diary and record all the facts as soon as you wake up to better understand your falling dreams, especially if you keep having them. Gonzalez-Berrios advises mentioning the kind of dream you had, your feelings about it, and whether or not anybody else was present. Try to connect the dream’s topic to the people, places, and happenings in real life as you read it. You can discover a stressor or issue you weren’t even aware you had. Then you can start finding out how to deal with it.
Schiff advises consulting a sleep expert, a medical practitioner, or a skilled mental health physician if you frequently wake up in a panic from these overnight events in order to ascertain the underlying cause. They can help you figure out where your stress is coming from or what aspects of your life are making you unhappy, and they can give you advice on how to find a better balance. You will be able to cope with your dreams more effectively and take charge of your life simultaneously if you have this level of self-awareness, understanding, and reflective capacity, according to Schiff.
Turning off the TV, avoiding reading the news, putting your phone away, and avoiding stressful activities just before bed may also reduce stress. Gonzalez-Berrios suggests that you try some deep breathing exercises or put on some relaxing music. Even if you ultimately have no influence over your dreams, it might be beneficial to have a calmer mindset before bed.