How Long do Dreams Last
I have been having a lot of dreams recently and the one thing I am unable to understand is exactly how long do dreams last? Some of them seem like a lifetime while others seem brief. When you are asleep, a dream can be so vivid that it feels like it is reality. However, when you wake up, you realize that it was just a dream.
The length of a dream also varies from person to person. Some people may dream for 10 – 15 minutes while some may even dream for 2 hours.
Dreams are often considered as the gateway between the conscious and subconscious mind. Depending on how long dreams last, they can give you clues about your relationship with yourself and others.
How do dreams last? What influences the time for which a dream lasts? What are the ways in which we can control our dreams? Let us find out.
Dreams last for a truly brief period. The period for which a dream lasts is dependent on several factors. However, many psychologists and dream experts suggest that dreams last for 10 – 15 minutes. If we take the scientific experiments into account, then dreams last for 10 – 15 minutes. People who were asked how long they think their dreams last the majority have said experiences last for 10 – 15 minutes.
A dream’s duration might differ from one person to the next. However, some people may dream for 10 – 15 minutes while some may even dream for 2 hours.
When you wake up suddenly, it can result in you dreaming for longer. When you are sleeping, your eyes are continuously moving. After every 90 to 120 seconds, each eye stops for 5 seconds. This is also known as Rapid Eye Movement (REM). If you do not wake up during the REM time, your dreams can last for a longer period.
The duration of a dream is also influenced by the number of dreams cycles you experience. Dreams that occur more often are said to usually last for a shorter period. On the other hand, dreams that occur less often usually last for a longer time. The dreams that are easy to be remembered are the ones that last for a shorter period. The dreams that are remembered well are the ones that last for a longer time.
When REM sleep occurs, your body is relaxed. Your muscles are not tense. The tension in your muscles is said to make dreams last longer.
The body undergoes different physiological changes when you are sleeping. Your core temperature falls, and your heart rate decreases as you sleep. A decrease in body temperature and heart rate means that your dream is going to last longer.
If you have had a stressful or tiring day, your dreams are going to last longer. If you are under a lot of stress, your body releases stress hormones. The stress hormones tend to affect REM sleep.
Your dreams tend to last longer when you are stressed.
Another way in which stress affects dreams is by causing nightmares. Nightmares are unpleasant dreams. They can cause stress and anxiety. Nightmares usually cause you to wake up abruptly. It can also cause you dream for a long time.
Stress also affects the hormones that handle regulating your sleep cycle. The hormones affect your dreams.
Depression can also affect your dreams.
When you are depressed, REM sleep is affected. Therefore, your dreams are cut short. Depression can also cause you to have bad dreams. Dreams of being chased and drowning are quite common when you are depressed. Therefore, depression directly affects your dreams.
Dreams can be affected by your sleeping position.
When you have a better sleeping position, your dreams last longer. When your body is properly aligned, it is less likely to move when you are sleeping. Therefore, your dreams are less likely to be interrupted. If you sleep on your back, your dreams usually last longer. When you sleep on your back, your airways are more open. Therefore, it is easier to breathe. When sleeping on your back, your body does not move a lot. Therefore, your dreams tend to last longer.
When you sleep on your side, there is less pressure on your lungs. Therefore, it is easier to breathe.
When you sleep on your side, your body does not move a lot. Therefore, your dreams tend to last longer. When you sleep on your stomach, your dreams usually do not last. When you sleep on your stomach, your airways are compressed. Therefore, it makes it difficult for you to breathe. When you sleep on your stomach, your body moves a lot. Therefore, your dreams tend to be interrupted.
The position you sleep in can clearly affect your dreams so try various positions on how they help you.
Dreams are also affected by your hormone levels.
When progesterone levels are high, your dreams last longer. When progesterone levels are low, your dreams are cut short. Progesterone is a hormone that is produced by the ovaries. It regulates the menstrual cycle. It can also cause changes in your brain. The pituitary glands handle the release of progesterone. If you are on your menstrual cycle, the progesterone levels are low. Therefore, your dreams are cut short. If you are on your menstrual cycle, the progesterone levels are high. Therefore, your dreams last longer. There are some hormones that can interfere with your dreams.
Melatonin is a hormone that is produced by the pineal gland. It handles regulating your sleep cycle. When melatonin levels are high, it keeps you awake. When melatonin levels are low, you fall asleep. Melatonin levels can be affected by the circadian rhythm.
Circadian rhythms are the internal clock of the body. They regulate your sleep and wake cycles. When your circadian rhythms are disrupted, it can affect melatonin levels. It can cause you not to sleep properly.
Your dreams can be affected when melatonin levels are low.
Melatonin levels can be affected by light. Since melatonin is produced by the pineal gland, it is affected by light. Melatonin levels are high during the day, and they drop during the night. When melatonin levels are high, it keeps you awake. When melatonin levels are low, you fall asleep.
Dreams can also be affected by your body temperature.
Body temperature fluctuates when you are asleep. A decrease in body temperature and heart rate means that your dream is going to last longer.
Conclusion
So, to summarise, your dreams typically last 10 – 15 minutes. A longer more correct answer is that dreams can last for a short or long time. The length of a dream is dependent on a few factors.
When you are sleeping, your eyes are continuously moving. After every 90 to 120 seconds, each eye stops for 5 seconds. This is also known as Rapid Eye Movement (REM). If you do not wake up during the REM time, your dreams can last for a longer period.
When you are sleeping, your body undergoes different physiological changes which affect the duration of your dream time. Your core temperature falls, and your heart rate decreases as you sleep. A decrease in body temperature and heart rate means that your dream is going to last longer.
