Why do we have bad dreams and how to stop having them?

Let's be honest, each of us sometimes has unpleasant dreams that leave us unsettled and overthinking. But you should know that we are not unique. Even the great historical figures of different times have bad dreams that influence their lives. Should such dreams be taken into account? Are they a warning about something bad coming or are they just a reflection of a tired mind?
Here’s a cool historical tidbit about Julius Caesar. Just days before his assassination in 44 B.C., Caesar had a disturbing dream. He dreamt he was at the River Rubicon—the site of a major turning point in his life—and a ghostly figure told him, "You will die where you most fear." Many saw this as a warning about his upcoming fate.
The dream was eerie, especially because Caesar had crossed the Rubicon years earlier to start a civil war. A few days later, he was killed by senators in the Senate, the very place he once thought was safe. It’s a powerful reminder of how even the most powerful people can’t always escape their destiny.
Disturbing dreams can be triggered by stress, unresolved emotions, side effects from medication, or even what you ate before bed (yes, that late-night snack might be to blame). Sometimes they happen when your brain is trying to deal with something it couldn’t handle during the day. Ever had a disagreement, ignored it, and then dreamed about something completely different that felt similar? That’s your mind processing things while you sleep.
- What are the other common reasons for someone to have nightmares ?
- overworking or too intense physical activity;
- drinking alcohol and drugs before bedtime;
- overeating;
- taking antidepressants / barbiturates;
- discomfort during sleep (cold, stuffiness, loud noises, pungent odors).
- What to do to get rid of nightmares? To get rid of bad dreams, you should:
- exclude the use of coffee and alcohol in the afternoon;
- do not overeat or smoke at night;
- provide normal conditions for sleeping (eliminate sources of noise and light that create discomfort);
- regularly ventilate the room, do wet cleaning;
- take a relaxing bath;
- take a walk before bedtime, meditate, conduct a session of breathing exercises;
- choose the right accessories for sleeping (a comfortable pillow and mattress, a blanket suitable for the season).
So how do these dreams affect us? Waking up feeling shaken isn’t the best way to start the day. Disturbing dreams can leave you feeling tired, anxious, or emotionally drained. If they happen often, you might even be afraid of going to sleep, which leads to more sleep problems.
Did you have some unpleasant dream that left you contemplating? Did you understand its meaning? We will be glad to hear your story if you are ready to share.


Unsettling dreams mentioned in the Bible
Religious texts, like the Bible, contain several fascinating and disturbing dreams that have shaped religious thought and interpretation.
One of the most intriguing examples comes from the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had a terrifying dream that no one could interpret. In the dream, he saw a massive statue made of different materials—gold, silver, bronze, iron, and clay—each representing different kingdoms. The statue was destroyed by a stone that came out of nowhere and shattered it to pieces. The king’s dream was disturbing because it foretold the downfall of powerful empires and the rise of a new kingdom, which seemed both unsettling and promising.
Daniel, a Jewish captive in Babylon, was the only one who could interpret the dream. He told the king that the statue represented the different kingdoms that would rise and fall, with the final kingdom symbolized by the stone, which many believed pointed to God's eternal reign. The dream was unsettling not just for its imagery but also for its implication that the current world powers would eventually be replaced by something divine.
Another famous biblical dream comes from Joseph, the son of Jacob, in the Book of Genesis. Joseph had a dream that he and his brothers were binding sheaves of grain in the field when his sheaf rose and stood upright, while his brothers' sheaves bowed down to it. This dream made his brothers so angry that they plotted to sell him into slavery. Joseph’s dream, though seemingly simple, foreshadowed his future rise to power in Egypt and his brothers’ eventual need to come to him for help during a famine. The dream had a lasting impact on his life and their family, and while not scary, it was certainly unsettling for his brothers, who were filled with jealousy.
These biblical dreams are fascinating not only because of their strange, symbolic content but also for how they shaped the course of history and the destiny of entire nations. They show how dreams can be seen as messages from a higher power, guiding individuals through unsettling times.
Bad dreams additional information
- Some interpreters give short general meanings for nightmares according to zodiac signs of the dreamer:
- Aries – improvement of financial situation;
- Taurus – troubles in professional sphere;
- Gemini – fulfilment of desires;
- Cancer – health problems;
- Leo – apathy or depression;
- Virgo – help from relatives or close friends;
- Libra – changes in personal life;
- Scorpio – having fun;
- Sagittarius – problems at work;
- Capricorn – implementation of a plan;
- Aquarius – betrayal or treason;
- Pisces – successful trip on vacation or on a business trip.
- The dreambooks give the following interpretations of bad dreams depending on who saw the nightmare:
- pregnant woman – worries about the unborn child;
- a married woman – an affair with a young married guy;
- a virgin – means financial independence;
- a man who is married – worries for your loved ones;
- the bride – predicts pregnancy;
- the groom – moving to a new place of residence;
- a young girl – receiving wise advice from an influential person;
- an unmarried guy – an affair with a woman who is married.
- Depending on when you had a bad dream, the interpreters state the following:
- on Monday – stagnation in business;
- on Tuesday – deterioration in health or illness;
- on Wednesday – loneliness;
- on Thursday – losses;
- on Friday – appearance of a detractor;
- on Saturday – the good news;
- Sunday – meeting an old friend;
- in the full moon – solving problems;
- at the new moon – rest with your family.