My Dream and Interpretation about Death

 Dream journal entry: My Dream

 

In the heart of the bustling city, I found solace in the cozy embrace of a coffee shop where laughter and conversation filled the air like the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee. My friend awaited me in a booth, surrounded by the warmth of a brick wall and the inviting wooden seats with a touch of mystery in their black vinyl or leather covering. The soft coffee shop lighting created a soothing atmosphere.

As we exchanged greetings, I shared an unexpected revelation with my friend—I had given away my Ouija board to a thrift shop, a place that also doubled as a coffee haven. It felt liberating, a gesture of passing on something mysterious and perhaps a little unsettling to a new home.

My attention then shifted to a woman emerging from a door, donned in a grey sweatshirt with the tag still dangling. Strangely, I realized I owned the same shirt. A connection formed, however fleeting, as we prepared to depart. Yet, our exit was halted by the diligent waitress, who pointed out the tag held in place by a safety pin on the woman's ill-fitted sweatshirt.

Protesting the unfairness of the situation, I suddenly found myself submerged in waist-deep water just outside the coffee shop. The surroundings were dark, and confusion enveloped me as various objects floated by. In the distance, a man and a cat struggled to navigate the water, prompting me to realize that this was a treacherous path, where the lost journeyed to the city.

In a surreal twist, awareness dawned upon me—I was no longer alive. Somehow, I found myself confined to a coffin, having been dead for 16 days. As they prepared to exhume my body, a surge of relief washed over me at the prospect of fresh air. Yet, in a macabre twist, I pulled the covers over my decomposing face to shield myself from the scrutiny of the living.

The realization of my transformation unfolded, and I became engulfed in an unsettling void, unable to see or comprehend my surroundings. Fear crept in, but amidst the darkness, a subtle voice echoed—a whisper of healing and regeneration. In the silence, a journey began, transcending the boundaries of life and death, offering a chance for newfound understanding and tranquility in the infinite unknown.

 

So what does this mean?

 

Well some version of myself has died off and I am aware of it.  I have made a video with my dream and interpretation.  

Sleep Inertia: How to Combat Morning Grogginess

 

 

 

Sleep inertia the groggy feeling that envelops us upon waking is a phenomenon familiar to many. Picture this: the alarm blares, you pry open your eyes, and your brain stumbles out of its cozy slumber. But instead of feeling refreshed, you're met with a mental fog akin to trying to solve a Rubik's Cube underwater. I myself experience this!  Fear not! We're here to unravel the mysteries of sleep inertia and equip ourselves with strategies to conquer it.

 

 What Is Sleep Inertia?

 

Sleep inertia is that disorienting, drowsy state that clings to you like a stubborn cobweb when you wake up. It's like your brain hit the snooze button while your body catapulted into the day. Here are the key takeaways:

 

1. Duration: Sleep inertia typically lasts between 15 to 60 minutes, but in some cases, it can linger for a few hours after waking.

2. Cause: The exact biological trigger remains unknown, but researchers suspect it's a protective mechanism that keeps us anchored to sleep during unexpected awakenings.

3.Impact: Morning grogginess can impair cognitive function, reaction time, and decision-making. Imagine trying to text while wearing mittens—it's that kind of mental haze. 

4. According to Doctors it is a natural occurrence.

 Symptoms of Sleep Inertia

 

When you emerge from sleep, watch out for these telltale signs of sleep inertia:

 

1. Grogginess: You feel like you're a zombie from the walking dead.

2. Yearning for More Sleep: Your inner voice whispers, "Just five more minutes, please!"

3. Cognitive Hiccups: Decision-making becomes a game of roulette, and your memory plays hide-and-seek. Have you ever made coffee and forgot to put a cup in the Keurig (big damn mess)

4. Visual Attention Woes: Your focus is like walking through the fog.

5. Spatial Memory Mix-ups: Suddenly, your room layout feels like a maze.  I trip over things most in the morning.

 

 Causes of Sleep Inertia

 

While the exact cause remains unknown, scientists have a couple of theories:

 

1. Delta Waves: These slow, rhythmic brain waves (think of them as the lullabies of sleep) might be the culprits. Imagine waking up mid-lullaby—your brain stumbles, and voilà, sleep inertia.

2. Abrupt Awakening: Ever been jolted awake by an alarm? Your brain might still be in "sleep mode," frantically searching for the off switch.

 

 Taming the Sleep Inertia Beast

 

Fear not, weary traveler! Here are some strategies to tame the groggy dragon:

 

1. Consistent Wake-Up Times: Train your body to expect the morning bugle call at the same hour each day.

2. Sunlight Exposure: Let natural light flood your room. It's like a gentle nudge to your brain: "Hey, rise and shine!"

3. Gentle Alarms: Swap that blaring alarm setting for a soothing chime. Your brain will thank you. If you wake up the same time everyday you don't even need an alarm once you train your mind.

4. Hydrate: A glass of water kick starts your system like jumper cables on a sleepy car battery. This has really helped me.

5. Move Around: Stretch, dance, or do a little jig. Physical activity helps shake off the inertia. I also do stretches first thing just a couple of quick ones. Think of your cat or dog that is the first thing they do.

 6. I also will use my time remembering my dreams and documenting them. The practice of journaling my dreams and drinking coffee for about 15 minutes really brings me out of this groggy state. 

Sleep inertia isn't permanent — try one of the above techniques. If you find yourself battling it regularly, consult a sleep doctor. They'll decipher if any underlying sleep disorders are pulling the strings.

 So, next time you wake up feeling like a foggy sloth, know that you're not alone. Many of us experience it, but with some changes you can regain your ability to wake up with a sharper mind. 

 

*References*:

1. [Sleep Foundation](https://www.sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/sleep-inertia)

2. [Rise Science](https://www.risescience.com/blog/sleep-inertia)

3. [Calm Blog](https://blog.calm.com/blog/sleep-inertia)

Shadows in the Glass Tower

 Dream journal entry: My Dream

As the day waned into evening, a sense of unease settled over me like a heavy fog. It all began harmless enough—I had promised to accompany a friend to the dentist, a routine errand that should have been straightforward. Little did I know that the mundane would soon give way to the eerie and unsettling.

Before heading to the dentist, I made a brief stop at an auto dealer, drawn by the allure of shiny new cars. As I wandered the lot, contemplating the prospect of a fresh set of wheels, a nagging voice reminded me of the steady progress I'd made in paying off my current vehicle. With a reluctant sigh, I abandoned the allure of the new and returned to the task at hand.

But that detour cost me precious time, and soon I found myself rushing to gather the necessary items for the dentist appointment. My friend, ever patient, suggested postponing the visit, but I brushed off the idea, citing the distance we had traveled. It was then that I realized with a sinking feeling—I had left my glasses behind.

Without my glasses, driving became an impossibility, especially as the sun dipped lower in the sky, hinting at the encroaching darkness. Panic threatened to take hold as I contemplated my options. A hotel seemed like a temporary solution, but I lacked the essentials to care for a child who accompanied us.

Desperation led me to a nearby medical building, its sleek glass facade towering ominously against the fading light. Though the sight initially offered a sense of respite, I couldn't shake the growing dread that accompanied the approaching nightfall.

Inside, I stumbled upon a table occupied by a group of women, their voices hushed in conversation. A lone man caught my attention as he peered through a high window, his gaze unsettling in its intensity. With a subtle gesture, he beckoned one of the women to join him, igniting a storm of anger in her wake.

Caught in the midst of this strange scene, I couldn't shake the feeling that something sinister lurked just beyond the edge of perception. As darkness descended, casting long shadows across the grassy expanse, I couldn't help but wonder—what other mysteries lay concealed in the veil of night?

5 Ways Drinking Alcohol can affect your Dreams

 

According to sleep doctors, drinking alcohol can affect your dreams in several ways.  Here are five things that drinking alcohol can do to your dreams:

 

1. Decrease the amount of time spent in REM sleep: Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep is the phase of sleep where we dream the most. Drinking alcohol can reduce the amount of time spent in REM sleep, which can lead to fewer and less vivid dreams. 

 

2. Cause more vivid dreams the night after drinking: Although drinking alcohol can reduce the amount of time spent in REM sleep, it can also cause more vivid dreams the night after drinking. This is because the body spends more time in REM sleep trying to make up for the time it lost the night before.

 

3. Increase the likelihood of nightmares: Drinking alcohol can increase the likelihood of nightmares, especially if you drink heavily or close to bedtime.

 

4. Cause more disrupted sleep: Although alcohol can make you feel sleepy, it can also cause more disrupted sleep. You may wake up more frequently during the night, which can interrupt your dreams. 

 

5. Make it harder to remember your dreams: Alcohol can also affect how well you remember your dreams. People tend to remember the last dream of the night they had, and even those details can fade quickly. But if you wake up in the middle of a dream, you're more likely to remember it.

 

My best advice is to drink lots of water to flush out your system. Allow at least three hours before bedtime and your last glass of wine or alcohol beverage. 

 

 

Source:

(1) How Alcohol Affects Dreams, According to Sleep Doctors - Well+Good. https://www.wellandgood.com/how-alcohol-affects-dreams/.

(2) Drinking Alcohol in Dream - Does It Mean You Have to Confront the Truth?. https://thepleasantdream.com/drinking-alcohol-in-dream/.

(3) Drinking dreams: what they mean and how to cope with them. https://joinclubsoda.com/hub/drinking-dreams-what-mean-how-cope/.