For many of us, thedreamsare extremely vivid and the person youre dreaming about seems very much alive.
These dreams can be joyful, but also scary or disturbing.
Whatever your experience, you should know that dreaming about someone you lost is actually super common.
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PsychologistCarl Jungthought that dreams were a way to teach us about and illuminate our unconscious feelings and desires.
Still, she says, these dreams can definitely give us info about our own grief journeys.
Having a grief dream only means that our brains are still trying to process what we have experienced.
People also take varying amounts of time to work through their grief.
Working through grief may involve sharing your feelings with others, including a therapist.
So where do dreams fit in in the grieving process?
Grief dreams are natural and uncontrollable; they usually come unbidden by our brains and frequently are nightmares.
These dreams show how our brain is working to heal and understand our experiences.
They might also help the dreamer confront andprocess their emotions, King describes.
We asked our experts to weigh in on some of these commonly occurring dreams.
And what does this typically mean?
In the dream, it could be that their death was a joke or a mistake, she says.
This usually means that we are still working through true acceptance that the loved one is gone.
Rather, it usually says something about your own emotional state.
This could reflect the dreamer’s internal dialogue or their desire for guidance, King explains.
Past memories may come to the surface in these dreams, Pendergrass notes.
After losing someone, we can be reminded of memories that we never fully made sense of before.
Doing so helps us process the story of the dream and uncover themes.
Self-Care Practices
Practicing self-care is so important as you move through grief.
King recommends:
Seeking Professional Help
You dont have to do this on your own.
They can provide coping strategies and help the person navigate their grief.
Compassionate care is out there for you, and you deserve it.
The feelings elicited by the dream can linger for hours or even days.
Even then, you may have bittersweet feelings when you wake up and realize they are still gone.
Ultimately, the dreams can help you heal from the loss.
Remember, if you are having trouble managing your feelings as you grieve, you are definitely not alone.
Not only that, but help is out there for you.
like dont hesitate to reach out to a therapist or counselor to guide you on your journey.
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