Many people have reported having quarandreams — super-vivid dreams during the pandemic — since the the coronavirus outbreak and lockdown started. From the apocalyptic to the mundane, you may be curious about what they mean or if they’re similar to the intense dreams you get when you’re pregnant. Perhaps your children are also suffering from nightmares and you’d like to find out why we’re collectively as a people going through it.
“I’ve had endless bonkers dreams since this all started,” mom of three Holley Replogle-Wong confided to Mom.com. “They used to verge on nightmares — the kind where it isn’t quite bad enough to startle you awake but disturbing enough that you don’t feel rested when you do wake up — and were usually of an apocalyptic sort.”
What are quarandreams?
How can we deal with these anxiety dreams?
Dr. Turner advised paying attention to what emotions have been elicited during the dream. “Upon waking, ask yourself what feelings and themes were present. These feelings and themes can inform you of what you may be struggling to experience in your waking hours. Then, allow yourself time and space to honor these emotions in your waking hours.”
She suggested talking to a friend or family member about the dreams or engaging in self care. “Even simply acknowledging the challenges and having compassion for yourself that you are going through such a hard time can help,” said Dr. Turner.
As an avid reader, Replogle-Wong confessed she perhaps has read too much post-apocalyptic fiction and nonfiction that may have influenced her dreams. She struck a deal with her husband. “I had to lay off the news and trust him to communicate anything really important to me,” she said. “The nightmarish dreams went away, but the dreams are still vivid and weird.”
