‘Nervous poos’ or ‘anxiety poops’ are more common than you might think. If you find you’re pooping more when you’re stressed or anxious, don’t worry you aren’t alone!

You might find yourself running to the toilet before a big presentation, an interview, or before an important day at school. If you struggle with anxiety, you might find that on days when your anxiety is high, you’re using the bathroom more often.

It’s not just in your head: stress and anxiety can actually affect your bowel movements. We’ll take a look at why this happens, and what you can do about it.

Your brain and digestive system are closely linked and can influence one another. Your emotions can have a big impact on your gut.

This can sound a bit far-fetched, but if you really think about it, there are lots of examples. You know when you feel nervous or excited and you get ‘butterflies in your stomach’? Or if you’re feeling angry or upset and don’t feel like eating? These are all examples of this strong connection between your emotions and your digestive system.

This connection is called the “gut microbiota-brain axis” or simply the “gut-brain axis”. Research shows that when we’re stressed or anxious, the hormones our body releases can disrupt the gut microbiota in our digestive tract. This affects the movement through our digestive tract, which can make us poop more!

Interestingly, evidence shows that this connection is bidirectional, meaning the health of our gut can also influence our brain function and mood.

Some research suggests that anxiety may change how our brain interprets messages from the visceral nerves, which are nerves in our stomach and intestines. Scientists believe the brain may ‘think’ that the stomach and intestines are sending pain messages or indicating that movement needs to be sped up. This can result in diarrhea when we feel anxious.

You’ll likely have heard of the ‘fight or flight’ response: it’s how our body responds when it faces a ‘threat’ of any kind. Our nervous system gets us ready for action by increasing our heart and breathing rate. Resources are redirected to areas of the body that will be needed for action, and away from those that won’t (such as your digestive system).

This results in movements in the stomach and small intestine being slowed down, while movement in the large intestine is sped up. Unfortunately, this typically leads to diarrhea.

The flight or flight response is helpful and keeps us safe when we face a threat, but when it’s activated for a prolonged period due to stress or anxiety, it can take its toll on the body.

Often when we’re stressed or anxious, we make lifestyle changes that can indirectly affect our digestive system. For example, if you have an important test or interview the next day, you might stay up late practicing or you might find that you are unable to sleep restfully due to nerves.

Lack of sleep can increase stress levels and the stress response in the body, which can contribute to digestive issues.

Some research shows a link between sleep quality and digestive health, with one study finding that: “poor sleep is associated with increased odds for multiple upper and lower GI symptoms”. This includes more frequent bowel movements, diarrhea, and constipation.

If you’re nervous you might eat more or less than you usually do, which understandably can affect your digestive system. You might also make different food choices, for example reaching for less healthy foods because they feel comforting or because they’re quick to grab.

If you do this, you aren’t alone and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. However, these dietary changes can upset your digestive system and contribute to changes in bowel movements.

Now that we know what causes ‘nervous poops’, you might be wondering what you can do about it! Don’t worry, there are ways you can tackle the problem by improving your gut health and reducing stress levels. The tips below are a great place to start.

Changing what you eat and drink, especially before an event that might make you feel anxious or stressed, can help you to settle your stomach. Try to avoid alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine as these can upset your stomach and may play a part in increasing anxiety.

Avoid excessively spicy, rich, or fatty foods before an important event. They’re heavy on your stomach and irritate your digestive system. If possible stick to balanced, healthy meals, especially you’re facing times of stress.

You might notice specific dietary triggers that irritate your stomach. If you do, you can start making a note of them to see if they consistently have this effect, then you can avoid these triggers to improve your digestive health.

Since sleep can have such a pivotal influence on your stress levels, you can tackle stress by working on improving your sleep. Actively make sleep a priority, even more so when you know you have a stressful event coming up.

Sleep hygiene, which simply means positive habits to improve your sleep quality, can be helpful. This includes making time to wind down before bed; watching what you eat and drink close to bedtime and making your bedroom a relaxing place.

Sleeping when you’re stressed can be difficult, but it is possible. Here are some more tips to guide you.

Mindfulness is an excellent way to reduce stress and anxiety, helping you to regulate your emotions and feel calmer. Mindfulness practices are about being present in the moment without worry or judgment.

Practicing mindfulness regularly has a whole range of wonderful benefits, including:

You can check out more about the benefits of mindfulness in our detailed article.

Impressively, research shows that mindfulness has the power to reduce the fight or flight response, actively reducing the impact of stress.

There are lots of types of mindfulness you can try, for example, meditation, guided visualization, breathing exercises, mindful movement (like yoga and tai chi), and even eating mindfully!

Yes, that’s right, you can engage in mindfulness while you’re preparing food and eating it. It can even improve your relationship with food and promote better digestion. Check out our guide on mindful eating if you want to learn more.

Exercise is a fantastic way to tackle stress and anxiety, as well as helping to regulate your digestive system. Of course, it also has a wide range of other health benefits too!

Research shows that when we exercise, stress hormones are reduced, and ‘feel good’ hormones called endorphins are increased. This helps us to feel calmer and promotes a sense of well-being.

Exercise also helps us to deal with the fight or flight response, and in turn, protects our digestive system from the harmful effects of stress.

Studies show that if you’re dehydrated, it can increase the body’s stress response, including levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Thankfully that means that staying hydrated is a simple but effective way to reduce stress levels in your body and keep yourself healthy.

If you have diarrhea, it’s really important that you keep yourself hydrated as you’re losing more fluid than normal. So, keep drinking that water!

There are over-the-counter medications that can help you to tackle diarrhea and constipation at home. They can also help with other symptoms of digestive upset, such as bloating and cramping.

Always follow the label carefully so you know how to take the medication safely. It’s always best to check with your doctor before taking over-the-counter medicine, especially if you have other health conditions or take prescription medication.

If you can identify specific stressors in your life then dealing with them head-on can help you to tackle the problem and reduce stress in your life. For example, if you have a problem at work you might be able to talk to your colleagues or manager, or if you have an issue with a friend or partner, open communication may be able to resolve things.

Although it’s natural to avoid difficult situations, this only leaves your emotions bottled up and increases stress over time. Even if it makes you a bit nervous, facing things and making proactive changes can be beneficial!

Check out our article on how to live a stress-free life for more tips on how to reduce stress.

When health problems get too much, it’s time to reach out for professional help so you can get things back on track. Let’s take a look at when you should seek help.

If your stress or anxiety is lasting for long periods, for example, months at a time, and you find that it’s disrupting your life and making it hard to function, then it’s time to ask for help.

You can start by going to your doctor, and they may refer you to services that can help if needed. You may be able to try medications to help you cope, and therapy to give you the tools you need to deal with your emotions.

If you experience any of the following, it’s best to get checked by your doctor to make sure your digestive issues aren’t anything more serious:

Ongoing, additional symptoms of illness such as vomiting, feeling dizzy, and severe fatigue

If you feel as though something isn’t right, it’s always best to get checked by a professional. You know your body best!

By reducing stress in your life and improving your digestive health, you can reduce anxious poops or even stop them all together! Try out some of these tips next time you’re struggling and see if they make a difference.

1. Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA, (2020), “Can anxiety cause diarrhea?” Medical News Today.

2. Jane A.Foster, Linda Rinaman, John F.Cryan, (2017), “Stress & the gut-brain axis: Regulation by the microbiome”. Neurobiology of Stress, Volume 7, December 2017, Pages 124-136.

3. Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School, (2008), “Sleep and Mood”.

4. Cremonini, F., Camilleri, M., Zinsmeister, A. R., Herrick, L. M., Beebe, T., & Talley, N. J. (2009). “Sleep disturbances are linked to both upper and lower gastrointestinal symptoms in the general population.” Neurogastroenterology and motility : the official journal of the European Gastrointestinal Motility Society, 21(2), 128–135.

5. Tom Ireland, (2014), “What Does Mindfulness Meditation Do to Your Brain?” Scientific American.

6. Mayo Clinic, (2020), “Exercise and stress: Get moving to manage stress”.

7. Gina Shaw, (2009), “Water and Stress Reduction: Sipping Stress Away”. WebMD.

Feeling stressed, anxious, or depressed can take a toll on your mental health. There are several ways to manage negative emotions, such as therapy or meditation, but you can also use food and nutrition to boost your mood. 

Discover 13 stress-relieving foods to incorporate into your diet that will help you reduce stress, boost your energy, and improve your overall well-being. 

1. Chamomile Tea

Chamomile is a sunny herb that has been used for thousands of years for its calming and soothing effects. Chamomile was often associated with the sun, brightness, and happiness in ancient cultures, hinting at its uplifting properties. 

Chamomile contains anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce anxiety and stress in the body. A 2009 clinical trial found that German chamomile, Matricaria Recutita, reduced symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder over a placebo control.

If you are looking for a simple way to reduce stress, try making a cup of chamomile tea in the evening while you practice mindful reading. The herb’s properties should help you relax and unwind. 

2. Salmon

Omega-3s are essential fatty acids that your body needs to run properly. Two important omega-3 fatty acids are DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). EPA and DHA are both found in salmon and have been shown to have beneficial effects in combating depression. 

A 3 three-ounce serving of salmon contains approximately 1,240 mg of DHA and 590 mg of EPA, making it a great source of essential omega-3 fatty acids. A 2011 randomized controlled trial showed that both DHA and EPA were able to reduce anxiety symptoms in participating by 20%. 

Aim to eat three to four ounces of salmon a few times per week. This can help you keep a clear head, improve your mood, and reduce your daily levels of stress. 

3. Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are a fascinating food that comes from Salvia hispanica, a desert plant found in Central America. Chia seeds are an excellent food for relieving stress, as they are high in omega-3s, antioxidants, protein, and fiber. 

One ounce of chia seeds contains approximately 5,060 mg of ALA (Alpha-linolenic acid), another essential omega-3 fatty acid that can help with symptoms of depression and anxiety. 

A 2020 review found people who routinely eat foods high in fiber showed a reduced risk of developing symptoms of depression and anxiety. Since chia seeds contain around 10 grams of fiber per ounce, this makes them an excellent option for a daily fiber source. 

To incorporate chia seeds into your diet, try mixing them in with oatmeal or smoothies. Alternatively, you try making chia seed pudding which can be made to suit any flavor profile. See the video below for a few fun recipe options. 

4. Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice that is made from grinding up the root of the Curcuma longa plant. It is most commonly used in Middle Eastern and Asian dishes and is one of the main ingredients in the popular drink “golden milk”. 

Curcumin is one of the major components of turmeric and is thought to aid in stress and anxiety relief. Curcumin boosts DHA levels in the brain, which improves mental functions and processes. 

A 2015 randomized controlled trial found that anxiety scores were lowered by just one gram of curcumin per day. 

You can get curcumin by ingesting turmeric as a daily supplement or incorporating it into your weekly diet. Most sources suggest 2,000 mg or less of turmeric per day, which is about 1 tsp.

5. Chocolate

It may not surprise you that chocolate is considered a stress-relieving food. Many people joke about eating chocolate when they feel stressed, and there’s a good reason. 

Dark chocolate, which is chocolate that contains around 70% or more pure cocoa, contains antioxidant compounds called flavonoids. A 2017 article in Frontiers in Nutrition posited that these flavanols increase blood flow and have neuroprotective properties. 

Like omega-3s, these can actually help you feel less stressed and more cognizant when making decisions throughout your day. To benefit from chocolate’s antioxidant properties for stress relief, opt for the darkest chocolate you can stand. Aim for a small 1 to 1.5 ounce square as a daily treat. 

6. Green Tea

Green tea is an easy-to-consume stress reducer with several brain health properties. Most notably, green tea contains L-theanine. L-theanine is an amino acid that is connected to anxiety reduction, mood stabilization, and brain health. 

A 2016 double-blind, randomized study showed that people who consumed L-theanine had lower feelings of stress and decreased cortisol levels. L-theanine found in green tea may also enhance dopamine, GABA, and serotonin production, adding to its uplifting properties.

To get a daily dose of L-theanine, brew a cup of green tea in the mornings for an alternative to your typical morning latte. Stay away from green tea in the evenings, however, as it contains as much caffeine as a cup of coffee. 

7. Oats

Oats are a great food to eat to improve your body’s digestive functioning and positively impact the gut-brain connection. One cup of raw oats contains around 8 grams of fiber, which aids in digestion and can help boost your mood. 

Raw whole oats and steel-cut oats are best, as they take longer to digest than quick-cooking kinds. This helps keep your energy levels and insulin production stable. Stable blood sugar often manifests as an improved mood, with fewer feelings of stress and irritability. 

Try making healthy energy bites with raw oats, nut butter, seeds, and a sweetener. You can also opt for sweet or savory oatmeal with healthy toppings like berries and nuts. 

8. Berries

Berries of any kind are a great addition to your daily diet for stress reduction. Most berries contain high levels of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals who are linked to lower instances of depression and anxiety.

A 2018 review suggested that phenolic compounds found in berries reduce oxidative stress which can aid in mental well-being.

A separate 2018 study found that people who consumed high levels of phenolic acid and anthocyanins, a pigment found in blue-purple berries, showed a reduced risk of depression symptoms. 

Increase your berry consumption by eating a wide variety of berries such as:

• Blueberries
• Strawberries
• Raspberries
• Blackberries
• Cranberries
• Goji berries

Although cherries are not technically berries, they too can help you relieve stress. Cherries contain melatonin, a hormone found in the human body that helps regulate sleep. Getting the right amount of sleep is essential to your mental health, so add cherries in with your berries. 

9. Hemp Hearts

Hemp hearts are part of the seeds that come from Cannabis sativa, or hemp plant. Hemp hearts are soft in texture and nutty in flavor and can be used as a topping on salads, toast, or oatmeal. 

Hemp hearts are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for improving brain function and cardiovascular health. Three tablespoons of hemp hearts contain approximately 2,600 mg of the stress-relieving omega-3 ALA and 9.48 grams of protein. 

Hemp hearts are an easy add-on to your daily diet. Top your nut-butter toast with a sprinkle of hemp hearts or mix it into a bowl of savory or sweet oatmeal.

You can also top salads with hemp hearts or even sprinkle them onto a small bowl of berries as a fun topping. 

10. Eggs

Eggs are a great food for relieving anxiety, stress, and overwhelm. These nutrient powerhouses contain essential amino acids that help your body produce serotonin and dopamine which are feel-good neurotransmitters in the brain. A 2020 article mentions that a moderate intake of eggs is associated with a decreased risk of depressive symptoms. 

One egg contains Vitamins A, B5, B12, B2, B6, D, E, K, folate, phosphorus, selenium, calcium, and zinc.

All of these nutrients work together to create a healthier brain and body which can improve wellness and mental health. Aim to eat one or two eggs every day or so to give your brain a boost of helpful nutrients. 

11. Yogurt

Yogurt, along with other probiotic foods like sauerkraut, kombucha, kimchi, and kefir, is wonderful for reducing mental stress and anxiety. Probiotics work to improve your gut health, which influences your mood through the gut-brain axis. 

A 2013 study found that people who consumed around 8 ounces of yogurt a day showed better brain function and emotional regulation after four weeks.  

To give your mind a stress-relieving boost, incorporate yogurt into your daily or weekly food routine. Look for yogurt with live active cultures for the most probiotic benefits. 

12. Spinach

There’s a reason that Popeye showed superpowers after eating his spinach.

Spinach is a leafy green vegetable that can be eaten as part of a salad, thrown into smoothies, or wilted into soups or side dishes. It contains numerous vitamins like A, C, and K, as well as minerals like folate, iron, potassium, and magnesium which are great for your mind and body. 

In relation to stress-relieving properties, a 2018 study on mice concluded that spinach contains anti-stress and antidepressant properties. An article from Harvard Health relayed that the magnesium in spinach can also have a calming effect on one’s mood.  

Try adding spinach to your diet by tossing a few baby spinach leaves into a salad mix or smoothie. You can also get your daily spinach by taking a greens supplement. 

13. Coffee

If you are a coffee fan, you’ll be happy to know that this popular beverage can relieve stress and give your mood a boost in the right quantities. A 2018 randomized controlled trial and 2021 report found that black coffee improved mental functioning after consumption.  

Coffee is a major source of caffeine.  There is approximately 37 mg of caffeine in one teaspoon of coffee. A 2015 meta-analysis found that people who drank between 68 mg and 509 mg of coffee per day experienced an 8% decrease in depressive symptoms per cup. 

While coffee can improve your mood and reduce stress, too much can also cause problems. Jitteriness and irritability are side effects of too much caffeine, so stay below about 400 mg of caffeine which is around four cups of black coffee. 

Add Stress-Relieving Foods to Your Diet For Better Mental Health

Although many factors play into your daily stress levels, eating stress-relieving foods can help. Try incorporating a handful of these foods into your diet and take note of the changes you feel.

Keep trying new foods until you find the items that keep you feeling calm and at peace. 

On average, you have around five dreams every night. Ranging from pleasant or sensible to nasty or utter nonsense, your dreams give you a glimpse into the subconscious mind. Nearly all peaceful dreams let you sleep through the night, while stressful dreams wake you up mid-beauty sleep.  

Have you been waking up in a panic every night?

Understanding your dreams is the first step to sleeping soundly. Read on to learn all about stress dreams, what they mean, and how you can get rid of them!

What Are Stress Dreams?

Whether you realize it or not, you dream every single night. Don’t believe it? This is because you usually don’t remember dreaming at all!

When you sleep, your body runs through cycles of non-REM and REM sleep. REM stands for rapid eye movement, and it refers to the time our brains are most active during a sleep cycle. You go into REM sleep after periods of light and deep sleep, typically about 90 minutes after you drift off. Each REM period increases in duration, meaning that you dream more as the night goes on. At this sleep stage, your heart rate and breathing increase, your eyes flicker under your eyelids, and your brain is at its most active.

Waking up during REM sleep leaves you disoriented and groggy. And since stress dreams, which happen during REM sleep, often wake you, you will feel disoriented for a few minutes after your dream. 

Stress Dreams Vs. Nightmares

Although there is some overlap, stress dreams are different from nightmares. They tend to be fast-paced but go nowhere, like a hamster on a wheel. 

Stress dreams cause you to feel frustration, unease, and apprehension, but not fear. They are more organized than nightmares and might repeat night after night. Nightmares are gruesome, life-threatening, and often linked to traumatic experiences. 

Nightmares wake you will a jolt or sudden rush of fear and terror. Stress dreams, on the other hand, wake you with a feeling of impending doom. Your senses feel heightened and your body feels as if it’s on high alert. 

What Does a Stress Dream Do?

Stress dreams aren’t anyone’s idea of fun, but they often result in a cognitive gain. Research from 2013 found that stress dreaming about an exam correlated with higher test results. This study suggests that stressful dreams teach you ways to handle the real-life equivalent of your dream.

Other researchers feel differently, and believe that dreams have no real-world function. They believe that dreams are the result of your brain categorizing and organizing all information collected throughout your day. 

Why Am I Having Stressful Dreams?

Every person has around the same number of stress dreams each night. The apparent correlation between anxiety and stress dreams is actually a difference in memory. 

Anxiety and stress both have a negative impact on sleep quality. When you are living under constant stress or mental tension, you’re more likely to wake up during or after a stress dream, and therefore more likely to remember the dream. 

Every time you wake up to escape a stress dream, your body reinforces that action. This unconscious mechanism, known as negative reinforcement, makes it difficult for people with anxiety to stay asleep during a stress dream. Stress and anxiety may also increase the severity of stress dreams, making it harder for you to sleep through them. 

So, anxiety has no effect on the number of stress dreams you have each night. The same cannot be said for those who have experienced trauma. Traumatic experiences have a strong link to trauma-related stress dreams.

Why Am I Having the Same Dream Repeatedly?

Recurring stress dreams point to a situation that isn’t resolving. Constant stressors in your life will materialize in the same type of stress dream. 

If you’ve noticed a pattern in your dreams, or have the same dream, it’s worth investigating where the dream originates from. Focus on the feeling the dream carries – is it frustration? Worry? Fear? Urgency? That overarching feeling is a clue that points to the dream’s origin. 

What Does a Stress Dream Mean?

Most dreams don’t make a lot of sense. Some follow a coherent, mundane storyline, while others ramble and roam from one edge of sense to another. You could dream you went shopping for bread and a pencil, or turned into a winged turtle that had to explore your school campus to talk to your celebrity crush about the melting toilet paper. There

Although we don’t have concrete evidence that different stress dreams are the result of specific emotions or scenarios, many people believe that every dream has some real-life consequence or meaning. 

Ready to analyze your dreams?

Here are the 15 most common stress dreams and what they say about you:

1. Falling 

If you dream about falling off a tall building, cliff, or even through water, and you can’t save yourself, this may indicate you’re in a situation that’s heading south. You might’ve been in this situation for years as it spiraled downwards and moved more and more out of your control.

This type of stress dream indicates a lack of security and control.

If all you can do while falling is scream, you’re dreaming about deep and unavoidable failure. Your mental health might be hitting rock bottom, an important relationship could be on the verge of ending, or you could be heading towards being fired at work. 

2. Being Chased 

Many nightmares involve running away from something terrifying and not being able to go fast enough. Often, you won’t know or see what is chasing you; you just know you have to get away. A stress dream about something chasing you has less dread attached to it, but still leaves you feeling panicky and anxious. 

This type of dream indicates you are avoiding something in your life. 

What you’re running from is specific to your connotations and situations. For example, you dream about a bear chasing you. A person who has a healthy respect for bears will have a very different dream interpretation than someone attacked by bears as a child. 

If you’ve been dreaming of running away, can you figure out what you’re avoiding in real life?

3. Losing Your Teeth 

In dream interpretations, teeth are a symbol of power. If you dream about your teeth falling out, a dentist pulling them out, or having them crumble as you bite into something, it might point to a situation you feel powerless to change.

This type of dream indicates a problem you cannot figure out or solve. 

This problem could be anything from the death of a loved one to the loss of your job. Anything that has caused you high psychological stress.

Find ways to alleviate or direct the intense emotions you feel. You cannot change the situation, but you can work to change your mindset surrounding it. Go for grief counseling and talk to people in similar situations. Letting yourself feel all your emotions gives your brain the chance to make sense of big changes in your life. This is essential to make peace with the situation.

4. Running Late 

Whether it’s missing flights or walking into a meeting half an hour after it starts, running late is a common type of stress dream. 

This type of dream indicates a feeling unprepared or overwhelmed by something in your life.

Dreams about rushing to meet a deadline draws a parallel with situations or people in your life that have demands you cannot meet. In dreams, work symbolizes your livelihood, finances, and greater purpose. If you aren’t reaching your work or personal goals, your dreams will overflow with late meetings, missing deadlines, and overdue tasks.

To combat feeling unprepared, look at how you can better manage your time and prioritize going to sleep early. Good time management breeds efficiency, which gives you more time to figure out an actionable plan to meet your goals. 

5. Being Naked in Public 

There are few people who can say they’ve never dreamed of being naked in public. As one of the most easily-explained stress dreams, this one leaves you feeling exposed and uneasy. 

This type of dream indicates feelings of embarrassment, shame, or a fear of vulnerability. 

When your dream self has no clothes on, it illustrates your emotional vulnerability. Dreaming of nakedness has a strong link to issues with private matters such as intimacy and trust. 

If you’re a naturally closed-off person, emotional vulnerability is extremely foreign and anxiety-inducing. It can feel embarrassing to open yourself up and let someone see your “weak” side. 

Remind yourself that intimacy is a good thing! You can’t build strong relationships if you hold people at arm’s length. Keep putting yourself just outside your comfort zone to experience the benefits of radical honesty and deep trust. 

6. Losing Something Valuable 

Valuable objects in your dreams symbolize values and ideals that are important to you. When you dream about losing something, like a wallet or piece of jewelry, you may be feeling as if you’re compromising on what matters to you. 

This type of dream indicates you’ve lost sight of what’s actually important to you.

These stress dreams are common after losing a loved one or going through an emotion-heavy experience. Situations like those force you to see where you’ve been compromising on your values and deeply-held beliefs. 

As an exercise, take the time to define and write down your values. Then, realize which of these you’ve been ignoring, avoiding, or compromising on. Once you know the source of this dream, you can work to refocus on what’s important. Take time off work if you want to dive deeper into how your stress has impacted your priorities. 

7. Losing Control of a Vehicle 

Dreams about driving can be adventurous and fun, or stressful and scary. If you’re dreaming about losing control of your car, it points to a feeling of powerlessness in your life. 

This type of dream indicates a lack of control or sense of responsibility.

Is there a situation where you don’t feel you can take responsibility for yourself? Losing control of a dream-car illustrates that anxiety. You’re worried that if you take control, everything will go wrong.

Analyze why you feel anxious about taking control. Are you unconfident in your abilities? Do you have too much else on your plate at the moment? Finding the root of your unease is the only way to resolve the power struggle in your dreams. 

If someone else is driving the vehicle, this may indicate you don’t want to hand over control. The thought of someone else impacting your destiny terrifies you, and it feels like giving them control will derail you entirely. This may be a justified fear, so talk to people that you trust and get their opinions. Then, you can make the decision to either hand over control or make sure that that doesn’t happen. 

8. Tidal Waves 

In dreams, water often symbolizes your emotions. When you dream about water that towers over you, you may find it’s because your emotions are getting big, too. 

This type of dream indicates feeling overwhelmed by unaddressed emotion.  

You’re overwhelmed by too many tasks and responsibilities, and they’re about to crash down and sweep you away. Your emotions cannot handle the pressure you’re under; you feel heavy and tired every day. 

Managing dreams about tidal waves is closely linked to finding ways to make your life simpler. Ask for help when you need it, be honest when you aren’t coping, and learn to say no every once in a while. 

9. The World Ending 

Also called “Armageddon dreams”, dreams about the end of the world stem from physiological and/or emotional stress. If something in your life is putting too much pressure on your emotions, your subconscious mind conjures up images of the world ending. 

This type of dream indicates a deep internal struggle.

Going through a tough situation uses up all your strength and focus. This leaves behind the feeling that you are fighting against the world, completely alone.   

Turn to your loved ones and talk to them about how you’re feeling. Ask them for help and advice for making a tough decision or dealing with conflict. When you have help, the pressure will ease enough for you to sleep the night through. 

10. House Burning Down 

If you’re dreaming about your house burning down, your mind is overloaded with stress. You may dream about your childhood home instead of your current one!

This type of dream indicates you’re under extreme stress and feel overwhelmed.

In dreams, your house symbolizes your place of refuge. It represents your state of mind, everything you treasure, and your personality. Extreme stress can rob you of inner peace and take away your ability to feel safe and relaxed. 

Essentially, your comfort is burning to the ground.

Try to find ways to offload big stressors and reduce the stress you’re under each day. Learning how to delegate is an important part of looking after yourself and preventing dreams of house fires!

11. Failing a Test 

Dreams about school stem from real-life work stress, even more than dreams about your job do! If you’re dreaming about failing a test, your dreams visualize that stress using past playgrounds and classrooms.

This type of dream indicates an inadequacy or insecurity about your job. 

If you dream about failing a test, some part of you is worrying that you aren’t performing well enough at your job. Working as a freelancer? Maybe you aren’t making enough money to cover your expenses. Haven’t received a promotion in a while? Your skillset may have turned stagnant over the years. 

Think of areas in your job you feel unhappy with. This could be anything from a project you worked on to a conversation with your boss. Improving your quality of work and mending work relationships is the best way to have less school-based stress dreams. 

12. Forgetting Something Important 

Forgetfulness in dreams is more about the feeling you get once you realize you’ve forgotten something. The actual thing you forget doesn’t matter at all!

This type of dream indicates a high-pressure, high-stakes situation. 

Whether you’re planning an enormous event or an important conversation, you’re feeling the pressure. Work on setting boundaries to keep the event or relationship from taking up too much of your energy and resources. 

13. Trying and Failing to Do Something

This dream draws most of its inspiration from real-life issues. You can dream about trying and failing to do a task that’s either mundane or spectacular.

This type of dream indicates that something isn’t working the way you expected it to. 

Is your toddler still refusing to eat carrots? Have you spoken to your boss repeatedly about a promotion with no results? Are your constant reminders about not leaving wet towels on the floor falling on deaf ears? Your subconscious mind latches onto that frustration. 

Remember that you sometimes need to approach a situation differently if you want different results. If you’re dealing with a person, ask them how you can handle the situation to get the result you want. If that doesn’t work, find a self-help book aimed at your particular situation for some advice!

14. Tornadoes 

Those with Generalized Anxiety Disorder dream about tornadoes more frequently than the average person. If you have GAD, you often find yourself overthinking at night and struggling to stay asleep. 

Tornado dreams are fast-paced and characterized by extreme stress. 

This type of dream indicates a feeling of constant worry. 

Find ways to minimize your anxiety. You can use meditation methods, physical movement, or medication to manage your worries. 

You must also work to pinpoint the biggest source of worry in your life. Can you change the situation? Do you have behaviors that elevate that worry? 

Next, find ways to ease your anxiety. Create a cozy bedroom sanctuary, go for counseling, or work on anxiety-management techniques to stay calm and cool throughout the day.

15. Drowning 

Remember how water in dreams links to your emotions? Dreams of drowning are very similar to panic attacks: there’s pressure on your chest and it’s difficult to breathe. 

This type of dream indicates excessive worry and panic. 

Dreaming of drowning is incredibly unpleasant, and often ends when you’ve died in your dream. Consider talking to a therapist or counselor to work through your worries and help you dream of swimming instead of drowning. 

How to Prevent Stress Dreams

If you’re a stress dreamer that wants to sleep through the night instead of waking up in a panic, there are several treatment options you can explore. 

Non-pharmaceutical treatment options focus on shifting your perspective on stressful situations and training yourself to remain asleep during a stress dream. 

Image Rehearsal Therapy 

To use this method, you try to remember your stress dream in extreme detail. You then write your dream down in a way that minimizes the stress, discomfort, or anxiety. 

Doing this several times a day trains your brain to see your stress dream as something manageable and non-threatening.

Dr. Tracey Marks goes over this and other tips in this video.

Stay Asleep During a Stress Dream

Since you’ll only remember your dream if you wake up in the middle of it, staying asleep is the best way to “not have them”. 

If you realize you’re dreaming about something stressful, let yourself remain in the dream. By getting to the end of your dream, you’ll stay asleep and forget the dream entirely!

Work to improve your quality of sleep to decrease your chances of waking up during the night and remembering unpleasant stress dreams. 

Journaling Before Bed 

It can be helpful to journal before heading off to dreamland.

Writing about your emotions and daily stressors gives your brain time to organize and compartmentalize different aspects of your life. Once organized, you can start finding ways to work through sources of stress.

With constructive steps in mind, you’ll find it easier to resolve stressful situations and therefore decrease your chances of having stress dreams. 

Meditation 

Get yourself into a peaceful frame of mind before going to bed. Doing a guided sleep meditation is another great way to relax before bed so you can sleep the whole night through. 

You can also use meditation to guide you back to sleep if you wake up during a stress dream. 

Here’s a good guided meditation to help you sleep. Try playing it on your phone when you lay down for bed.

Understanding Your Dreams Is the First Step to a Good Night’s Sleep

Although they can be unpleasant, stress dreams are powerful tools that you can use to analyze your emotions. Pay attention to each dream and you’ll find clues about what’s really going on in your head.

When you monitor your dreaming habits, you’ll be able to pinpoint the main stress points in your life. This tells you where to begin your journey to a more stress-free life (and stress-free sleep!)

Hopefully, you now know all about stress dreams, where they come from, and what they mean.  If you enjoyed this post, be sure to check out our blog for more tips on staying mellow while you’re awake or dreaming.