How to dream: Scientists explain
Why people no longer know how to dream and how to relearn it (photo: freepik.com)
Dreaming has become difficult – this is the conclusion scientists have reached. People no longer find pleasure in simple fantasizing. Moreover, many do not even know how to do it. Researchers have found that dreaming has become a challenging mental exercise that people need to relearn. What has happened to our ability to dream – and how can we get it back? Why people no longer know how to dream, why it matters, and how to regain this ability is explained in a study published in the journal Emotion.
What scientists discovered
The study was conducted by psychologists from the University of Florida, along with colleagues from Harvard and the University of Virginia. Participants were asked to sit in a quiet room and think about something pleasant and meaningful. No gadgets, noise, or tasks – just to dream. And that’s where the difficulties began.
Some participants admitted they couldn’t even come up with anything they wanted to dream about. Others lost concentration. Some were so uncomfortable with the silence that they asked to change the task.
In a previous study by the same team, participants even preferred receiving a mild electric shock over being alone with their thoughts.
Why this happens
Professor Erin Westgate, who led the research, explained that the problem isn’t that people don’t want to dream, but that they don’t know how.
We are used to constant stimulation – social media feeds, TV shows, chats, work tasks. The ability to imagine something abstract, unrelated to reality, is gradually fading. The mind no longer has time to shift into creative imagination mode, the researcher explained.
How to dream properly
Scientists are convinced that the ability to dream is like a muscle that can be trained. Here’s what they recommend:
- Set aside specific time for fantasizing – at least 5–10 minutes a day.
- Avoid distractions – gadgets, noise, conversations.
- Ask yourself questions like: What would the perfect day look like? What if…?
- Don’t expect immediate results. At first, it will feel boring – and that’s normal.
Why it matters
Dreams do more than brighten up daily life. They improve mood, reduce stress levels, stimulate creativity, and help with decision-making.
A person who doesn’t dream risks losing the ability to see the bigger picture, to live with meaning, and to strive for change.
Psychologists emphasize that fantasizing is not an escape from reality, but a way to cope with it.
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