Since the UK’s lockdown measures were announced las month, many people have reported unusual dreams and trouble sleeping.
Searches for ‘why do I keep having weird dreams’ have increased by 200%, while there has been a 190% increase in users asking ‘why do I keep having bad dreams’.
Since mid-March, there has been a 2,450% increase in searches for ‘why am I dreaming about my ex’
Digital marketing agency AGY47 spoke to Marilyn Devonish, the NeuroSuccess Coach and founder of TranceFormations, a coaching, training and consultancy organisation to uncode the meaning behind these dreams.
1. Dreaming of an ex (2,450% increase)
Searches for ‘why am I dreaming about my ex’ increased by a staggering 2,450% compared to last year, as Brits try to understand why lockdown is making them think of their old flames.
Marilyn Devonish explains: “In the current coronavirus context, dreaming of your ex could be metaphorically dreaming about times gone by, and sadness about losing those times.
If you feel your ex ‘abandoned’ you, this can be around self-acceptance, not being cared for or feeling left out and not included. If you were dominated in the relationship, it can be a reminder to take your power back and affirm your own sense of strength.”
2. Dreaming of falling (600% increase)
The second most common lockdown dream was dreaming of falling, with a 600% increase in searches for ‘what does it mean when you dream about falling’.
Marilyn explains: “Falling can be about being unsure, out of control, overwhelmed or as though the control has been taken out of your hands. You may have lost confidence in yourself or be feeling anxious, all of which makes sense as normal life has temporarily been taken away.”
3. Dreaming of losing teeth (400% increase) & Dreaming of hair falling out (400% increase)
Taking joint third were two of the more unusual dreams on our list, with 400% more searches for ‘dream about losing teeth’ and ‘dreams about hair falling out’ in recent times.
“Losing teeth and teeth falling out can be about scattering your energy, not fully understanding a situation, over talking and saying too much, or something coming to an abrupt end” commented Marilyn. “It can also be about a loss of power, dealing with some form of loss, being indecisive or reflecting on how you see your physical appearance.”
She continues: “Hair can symbolise our identity and even strength, so hair falling out can be a sign you are worried about losing part of your identity or power or feeling helpless.”
4. Dreaming about someone (300% increase)
Searches for ‘what does it mean if you dream about someone’ were up by 300%. Marilyn asks: “Who is the ‘someone’, and what do they mean to you? If you are in a relationship and the ‘someone’ is not your partner, this can symbolise being drawn to qualities you feel are missing within yourself or your relationship. If it centres around kissing, this can relate to affection, connection, love, or the lack thereof.
Brits are clearly turning to Google to try to make sense of what their dreams mean. However, while we can often identify common themes, Marilyn added: “Dreams are in the eye of the beholder.
Working with my clients, we explore the context around the dream, which means going beyond the generic meaning, and looking at what it means to them. My dream about an ex could have a different meaning to someone else’s when we look at the context of what is happening in our lives.”
Bethanie Dennis, Senior Content and Digital PR Manager at AGY47 said ‘We’re far from normality right now, and this certainly seems to be reflected in all elements of life, even in our sleep! There is something reassuring about our data, as it shows we’re all going through similar emotions and experiences during what is undoubtedly a challenging time. If an uneventful night’s sleep feels like the impossible at the moment, you’re definitely not alone!”’
