The Benefits of Bad Dreams
True nightmares can feel frighteningly real and, according to researchers, that’s a good thing. A new theory suggests that bad dreams work as a type of emotional release, turning pent-up anxieties into a past memory and making you feel as if you’ve already lived through whatever’s been bothering you. And since humans deal with bad memories better than ongoing fears, we’re able to put it behind us, instead of constantly worrying about what could happen. There’s also no better feeling than waking up from a post-apocalyptic world crawling with spiders only to be greeted by the comfort of your bed.
Via nymag.com link opens in a new window
