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We all know those lucky people who seem to have wonderful dreams every single night after their heads hit the pillow. Maybe they're blessed with beautiful visions of seaside vacations, life milestones like a romantic wedding, or just a cozy day at home.
Unfortunately, my dreams (or, I guess, nightmares) don't exactly play out like that. Oftentimes, after I drift off into sleep, I wake up the next morning scratching my head and wondering what was in the water I'd been drinking because my dreams tend to be strange, unsettling, or both.
While I'm no stranger to overthinking before bed — and just generally dealing with stress in my day-to-day life — I started wondering what all these dreams I keep having actually mean. Here's what I found out!
Scroll to find out the top reasons you're having anxiety dreams — plus what to do about them!
According to a recent search data study conducted by Psychic Source, though, I'm not the only one. From March 2024 to February 2025, the effort analyzed over 900 dream-related keywords to pinpoint the most commonly searched dreams in the United States.
What's most shocking is that, since the final week of April, searches for "anxiety dreams" have skyrocketed a whopping 273%. This jump indicates that more people are struggling with stress and sleep routine disruptions than may seem.
"Dreams aren't random–they're symbolic messages from your subconscious. They often reveal your emotional state, unspoken fears, and hidden insecurities. The mind doesn't lie when we're asleep–it whispers what we're too busy to hear during the day," explained dream interpreter Solas of Psychic Source.
The study went even further and highlighted the top five stress dreams in the United States, as well as what they mean. Let's dig in!
See The Top 5 Anxiety Dreams Most People Have!
1. Your Teeth Are Falling Out
Dreams of teeth falling out topped the list and could suggest someone is suffering from a loss of control, fear of being judged, or nervousness surrounding an appearance or communication.
2. You're Running Late
Dreams about being late came in second and may indicate an individual has a fear of failure or a fear of missing out (FOMO). The study noted this kind of vision "often reflects pressure and time-related stress."
3. You're Naked In Public
Being naked in public in your dreams could point to feelings of shame, vulnerability, or the fear of "being emotionally exposed."
4. You Missed Your Flight
Dreams about missing a bus or flight might mean someone feels stuck in their current situation or as if they're missing an opportunity in their career or overall life.
5. You Lost Your Phone
Finally, the fifth most common stress dream has to do with losing a phone. If you experience this situation during your slumber, it's actually a sign that you feel disconnected, are afraid of being isolated, or think that you're losing your identity or voice.
But thankfully, hope isn't lost if you're currently grappling with similar anxiety dreams. Psychic Solas detailed how dreams are reflections of our mental health, which can be improved while awake.
"Your dreams are mirrors–sometimes distorted, sometimes painfully honest. When you dream about your teeth falling out or missing a bus, your subconscious is begging for relief, stability, and emotional clarity," she stated.
"The good news? With the right practices, you can shift the energy before your head even hits the pillow."
The first thing you can do to "spiritually reset" before you hit the sack each evening is clear your energy using a smoke cleanse or selenite crystal. Then, it's important to set your intentions. Journaling can come into play here; otherwise, you can just repeat a calming affirmation or phrase aloud, such as "I release all tension and welcome peace."
Another way to cleanse your mind prior to sleep is by powering down your devices at least 30 minutes before bed. By avoiding screen time, you can help "reduce energetic clutter." And in place of scrolling on your cellphone or watching TV, you can begin visualizing a protective light or barrier around your body that's shielding you from any outside stressors.
Lastly, it can be helpful to start a dream journal and keep track of different patterns and symbols over time. You may be able to decipher when your anxiety dreams tend to pick up (like around the holidays or when you're under extra stress at work) and better understand how you can personally reclaim more restful sleep.
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