Nightmares, stress, and wild lettuce

Let's talk about how all of these things affect your health.

IN a nutshell Do you remember your dreams? I do. They're usually very vivid, and 9 times out of 10 (unofficial stat), I have no clue what my subconscious is trying to tell me. Rest assured that our nightmares don't exactly predict future events, but they do send us messages, nonetheless. What might they be saying? In today's newsletter, we're discussing: • what your nightmares are trying to tell you • the therapy notebook that relieves my anxiety • a little known side effect of stress 👀 • can lettuce help you sleep? • more health stories you need Be well, Morgan Mandriota Newsletter Editor, Healthline

Written by Morgan Mandriota January 16, 2023 • 5 min read

what's got us buzzing What are our dreams and nightmares trying to tell us? Death or injury to a loved one. Failure or helplessness. Being chased. Physical aggression. These are a few of the most common nightmares people experience, according to a 2018 study. While researchers are still studying what our dreams really mean (and why we dream in the first place), we do have some insights into what our sleepy brains might be trying to communicate. Research has found that these factors may influence our dream content: personality traits imagination current mood cognitive development things we're interested in or worried about certain health conditions (e.g., PTSD, depression, migraine, asthma) So, no, your nightmares are not predicting doom-and-gloom events that may happen once you wake up. The only thing that our dreams may actually warn us about is how we're feeling physically and mentally. But ultimately, we don't have much conscious control over what we dream about, so try to enjoy the free, nightly show in your head. tl;dr: Nightmares don't necessarily predict or warn of upcoming events. Instead, your dreams and nightmares are more closely linked with the state of your mental and physical health. If you're distressed over your dream content or how frequently you have nightmares, consider speaking with a doctor or therapist. Share with us: Have you ever had a dream that you felt warned you about something in your waking life? Tell us at wellnesswire@healthline.com. (Please note that we may use your name and response in an upcoming newsletter!)

great finds Editor faves with health perks You know those great finds you just *have* to tell your friends about? That's how we feel about the products we recommend here. Every pick has been vetted by our editorial team, and we genuinely think it'll make your life better.       The Anti-Anxiety Notebook My new go-to resource for calming down when I'm worked up is The Anti-Anxiety Notebook by Therapy Notebooks. Created by a team of therapists, this weighty notebook offers mental health education plus interactive pages with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) exercises for deconstructing and better understanding your experience. The journal guides you through CBT-based, thought-provoking questions — like "What happened?" and "How can you think about the situation differently?" — to help you identify thought patterns and challenge your beliefs. It's great for daily use or whenever anxiety pops up. The Anti-Anxiety Notebook price tag may be intimidating, but that's because it can serve as a free, self-guided therapy session that you can do at your convenience and without seeing a therapist. That's how I use it. If you can afford it, I highly recommend giving it a shot. Shop now

Monday Kick Start Let's take a look at how stress can age our eyes We already know that chronic stress has long-term health effects, like headaches, heartburn, anxiety, and insomnia. According to a 2022 study in mice, repeated stress may accelerate eye aging as well. On Jan. 4, we reported on epigenetics and biological age versus chronological age. This study explores the epigenetic age of retinal tissue and how that insight can be used to prevent vision loss from aging and stress. The researchers discovered that an increase in the eye's intraocular pressure (IOP) due to stress can lead to DNA changes in retinal tissue that resemble the effects of natural aging. Aging and changes in IOP have been identified as risk factors for developing glaucoma. These findings suggest that the number of people ages 40 to 80 with glaucoma is estimated to increase to over 110 million by 2040. So, what can you do to ward off accelerated aging of your eyes due to stress? Take small steps to limit your stress levels and protect your vision. Consider starting with these 15 simple ways to relieve stress and 8 nutrients to optimize your eye health.

Health Hype Can lettuce help you sleep? (Find the answer at the end of this email)

health stories you need What we're reading next How to practice STOP mindfulness. The STOP acronym stands for stop, take a breath, observe, and proceed. Learn how to do this helpful technique –– it only takes a minute or less. 7 doctor-approved Viagra alternatives. If you live with erectile dysfunction and don't want to use Viagra for whatever reason, consider trying these other medication options. MRI contrast side effects. Most people only experience mild side effects from contrast dyes and injections, but serious reactions are possible. Tips for making your eating habits more sustainable. In this article, experts explain sustainable eating and offer realistic ways to implement sustainable habits into your diet.

Health Hype Answer Can lettuce help you sleep? Yes! Lettuce (specifically wild lettuce, which can grow to a height of up to 6 feet, so you probably couldn't eat a whole one) packs some surprising health benefits, especially when it comes to sleep. Wild lettuce has been used by folks who don't want to take conventional medications as an alternative for pain relief and to induce sleep. To learn more interesting health facts about wild lettuce, click here.

Thanks for reading! As my mother always used to say, sleep tight and don't let the bedbugs bite. (By bedbugs, we mean nightmares and stress.) We'll be back in your inbox on Wednesday with more health stories you need.

Until next time, Take care of yourself, and we'll see you again soon!     This edition was powered by daydreams of less stress.   View in browser Did a friend send you this email? Subscribe here. To see all newsletters, click here. Privacy    |    Unsubscribe © 2023 Healthline Media LLC 275 7th Ave., 24th Floor New York, NY 10001