Essay Sample about Dream Journaling

Dream journaling is quite intimidating, but this simple habit has the potential to benefit our lives. By documenting and analyzing dreams, knowledge can be gained in a way one would least expect it. Ideas and aspirations can stem from a single dream; encouraging new beginnings. Since the power of dreaming is often overlooked, many people discard them as figments of their imagination or useless thoughts. When in reality, they hold a meaning that can only be found by the dreamer. With practice and a basic understanding of how dreams correlate with life, dreams can change one’s viewpoint and even their emotions. Therefore, journaling after experiencing a dream can help lower overall stress levels. 

Speculations relating to the purpose of dreaming have been with us since the beginning of recorded history. According to the Greeks and Romans, dreams were believed to have prophetic powers (Joseph). These philosophers had the right to believe dreams were magical in some way. Dreams are unlike anything a human can experience, as it becomes especially complex to comprehend without encountering one first-hand. Journaling dreams were a common practice of the Greeks; however, the interpretation of dreams didn’t catch wind until the end of the nineteenth century (Joseph). Therefore, theories were basically the only thing that provided people with reasoning. Later, these theories stumbled across the paths of scientists and psychologists who debunked them (Hamilton).  Debunking these theories made room for much more accurate data as the world evolved. Whether dreams have powers or not, the interpretation of them continues to challenge researchers who are still piecing the puzzle that is dreaming to this day.

Keeping a dream journal can provide insight into problems or difficulties one may experience in real life. Dreams not only “combine . . .  objects, actions, and perceptions” but have the ability to solve problems when one is conscious (Wamsley). Most things accounted for in dreams have some sort of meaning to the dreamer; the most memorable and bizarre dreams are often so realistic that they can trick the mind into believing they are happening. As a result, it is common for people to wake up and feel disoriented after having a dream. Occurrences such as this are often referred to as “anxiety dreams” which invoke some sort of stress, and in some people occur for months on end (Lyster).  One may ask themselves, what does it mean? How can I make sense of this? Well, it is simple. Start journaling. Documenting dreams are a way to create peace with confusion as it forces the interpreter to look deeper within themselves. Digging deep opens a new door of possibilities and can be practical in many situations. For example, having a dream about a tragic event can be particularly worrisome. Emphasizing significant occurrences within this dream can provide a rational explanation for why this dream occurred. Accordingly, preparing one for future complications that may relate to that dream in reality. With consistency, writing down the meaning of dreams can set one’s mind at ease and provide a tangible way of examining dreams through the lens of one’s own eyes. 

Furthermore, dream journaling can strengthen an individual’s ability to start healthy habits. It is obvious that the routines someone adopts can change their life. However, not everyone reaches that level of responsibility as it has been shown that just 2.7% of people can’t manage healthy habits such as avoiding smoking, eating well, exercising, and keeping body fat in check (Belluz). Building healthy habits is all about what works for certain people, but putting in the effort is what it boils down to. For example, it can be hard to keep up with a healthy habit especially if time is limited and the thought of small things like that don’t matter. This is where journaling comes in. Setting aside time to focus and decipher dreams is an excellent way to promote the implementation of healthy habits. Attaching a new behavior to an existing behavior can assist in constructing a new habit. For instance, if one happens to be on their phone a lot in the morning, they can try journaling their dreams within an app dedicated to jotting notes down. There are numerous ways to journal: Freewriting, listing, or even art; there is no right or wrong (Duluth). Start small as this keeps stress at bay and aligns a pathway for starting and continuing the practice of different healthy habits. Think of dream journaling as a motivation tool, start small to achieve big. 

Moreover, dream journaling serves as an outlet for emotional expression. Since dreams are closely attached to cognitive function and the experiences while one is awake, stressful and tense emotions are to be expected after waking up from a lifelike dream (Hamilton). Dream journaling is more than just a dumping ground for bizarre things that go on during sleep; It serves as an escape from reality. The rationality of one’s dream may not make sense but the sensations and emotions felt are what matters. Nightmares are a common parasomnia that can trigger negative emotions (Morse). These types of dreams have the potential to alter perspectives on certain matters in one’s life. Waking up from a troubling dream can cause stress that lingers. Instead of dwelling on it, take it as an opportunity to address those stressors through journaling. Anger, tension, and stress are things that can be sensed after a vivid nightmare (Morse). Documenting allows one to notice emotions and feelings that may not be as apparent to them while they are awake. 

Conversely, one may believe that dream journaling can harm emotional health even further. To elaborate, noting information that includes disturbing imagery or drastic situations can make dream journaling dreadful and adverse its intended purpose. While this may pertain to some,  journaling can only be implemented to better assist and manage your health (Duluth).  Although nightmares and bizarre dreams can be disturbing, venting those disturbances is a way of letting that emotion go. Without storing the bad dreams, the good dreams do not stand a chance. Dream journaling is an outlet for your private thoughts. This type of focus does not involve any stressful work one may experience at a  job or school. Journaling reveals a raw and unfiltered version of oneself. It is a safe space for the individual and their emotions. The bottom line is that recording one’s thoughts and feelings about the dreams they have can only be useful. It provides one with something to look back on in the future so that they can appreciate how far they have come (Duluth). In return, journaling dreams provide a feeling of accomplishment that lasts a lifetime. 

All in all, dream journaling can be extremely beneficial. Journaling has been around for decades and remains a prominent method to store and process thoughts. The understatement that dreams are insignificant is a complete lie as they supply one with a new perspective. But to gain the maximum benefits of dreams, one must journal. Maintaining this healthy practice can transform the entire trajectory of someone’s life for the better. Thus, stress and undesirable emotions can be eliminated over time as one continues to document their dreams. Dream journaling gives one a second eye, influencing more and more secrets to the surface. Without the enactment of journaling, emotions, and hardships faced will take an extra step to control. Nevertheless, acknowledging the quality and importance of dreams is essential in obtaining the ability to pursue other habits. In the end, dream journaling helps manage stress levels that may arise throughout the course of life. It may even teach a meaningful lesson that will be used for the rest of one’s existence.