What causes bad dreams?

Question

Don't confuse "bad dreams" for nightmares.  The dreams I'm referring to are NOT scary or frightening.  I'm referring to dreams that are tense where I have outbursts in my dreams.  I've been known to swear a lot in these dreams or feel angry, stressed, or otherwise upset.  These feelings have nothing to do with being scared, which is why I don't consider them to be nightmares.  I have these dreams far more often than true nightmares and, I think I may be having these dreams more often than any other kind of dreams.

So, what I want to know is what can cause these dreams to occur?  And, what can be done to have less of these dreams?  While they aren't frightening like true nightmares, I don't like these dreams, either.  Anyone with answers would be greatly appreciated...except those who leave negative replies/answers/comments.

Answer 1

I'm not really sure.  I can't remember having either a nightmare or a bad dream since I was a child, and then it was usually a result of having a fever.

Maybe drinking a glass of warm milk before retiring, or maybe taking magnesium/calcium supplements?

Comments

Milk would not be a good thing to have at night.  If I had milk, 9.9 out of 10 times, I'd be up all night with flare ups of post-nasal drip that would go on and on, no matter what I take for it.  I've had such all-nighters with this problem before and it's never any fun at all.  This is partially why my sleep is so poor, why I don't shower or bathe, and why I don't wear clothes, as I mentioned in the question regarding getting a webcam.

Answer 2

I had a bad nightmare recently. I was waking up again and again but I'm actually waking up in the dream and not in reality.

Answer 3

I am wondering if a therapy known as "cognitive restructuring" could help in your case, as you seem to deal with much stress, perhaps with emotions like disappointment, sorrow, anger, grudges, worries, tiredness, etc.:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_restructuring

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mood_repair_strategies

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201502/5-ways-get-your-unwanted-emotions-under-control

Inform yourself as much as possible about which kind of therapy would be the most useful in your case.

Sometimes, changing certain routines, taking breaks when needed, going to sleep earlier or a bit later, changing your diet, reserving more of your free time for adequate physical activities or hobbies, fun with your family and friends, etc., can also help.

Answer 4

According to Ebenezer Scrooge, a blot of mustard or bit of under done potato.