It often happens that we see nightmares at night, which directly affect the quality of sleep, but also our activities during the next day. Nightmares are caused by many reasons, and one of them is body temperature
It seems strange, but if you sleep with your feet outside the blanket, the chances of seeing terrifying nightmares are quite high.
According to Milton Erman, director of the Center for Sleep Disorders at the Scripps Clinic, dreams sometimes become negative when the sleeper feels cold.
Cold feet can affect the quality of sleep and, indirectly, can affect nightmares or sleep disruptions. When the feet are cold, the body has difficulty maintaining its internal temperature, which can cause restlessness, anxiety, or difficulty sleeping. This can lead to sleep disruptions, including nightmares.
Nightmares are often related to stress, anxiety or restlessness during sleep. When the body is too cold, a stress response can be activated, which can affect the quality of REM sleep, where most dreams, including nightmares, occur.
However, warming the feet, either with socks or a heating pad, can help improve comfort during sleep and may reduce the likelihood of nightmares that are caused by disturbances or sleep disruptions.
Some other reasons why you may have nightmares:
Nightmares are not usually random. They are often the product of various factors operating in our subconscious or consciousness. Therefore, a key factor in treating nightmares is understanding what causes them.
1. Stress and/or anxiety: Sometimes it is no surprise that frequent nightmares are a consequence of the stress or anxiety we experience during the day. It's like putting the worries of the day to sleep. An upcoming job presentation, conflict with a partner, or simply the burden of daily tasks can be found in our dreams, causing nightmares.
2. Eating too close to bedtime: Eating before bed can be more harmful than we think. And no, it's not just cheese, which, according to myth, doesn't cause nightmares. High-calorie foods can cause physical discomfort that disrupts sleep and often leads to dreams and sometimes nightmares.
3. Scary Movies, TV Shows or Books: Do you like horror movies or thriller books before bed? Maybe you should reconsider this habit. Your subconscious may incorporate elements of the content of what you've read or seen in your dreams, creating disturbing visualizations when the lights go out.
4. Traumatic experience: If you have been through a particularly challenging event recently or in the past, the trauma of what happened may show up in your dreams. This is normal. It's the brain's way of processing trauma, but it can lead to recurring nightmares, which can be disturbing and even prevent sleep.
5. Alcohol, sedatives, and/or caffeine: You may feel that alcohol and medications help you fall asleep faster than without the help of these substances, but these can disrupt the quality of your sleep and lead to vivid, intense nightmares.
6. Medications: Certain prescription medications, including certain types of antidepressants, blood pressure medications, and beta-blockers, can lead to nightmares. If you have started a new medication and are experiencing frequent nightmares, you should talk to your doctor.
7. Sleep disorders: Conditions such as sleep apnea can disrupt sleep and lead to nightmares. If you are experiencing symptoms such as daytime fatigue or morning headaches, you should consult a health professional.
