Page 95 - Nailah G Beraki-Pierre_Fear Is a Good Thing_v1_Neat

DAY 25

Sweet Dreams

Dreams are illustrations . . . from the book your soul is
writing about you.

— Marsha Norman

Scientists are finally beginning to understand the most controversial of
all conscious experiences—the dream state.
Dreaming provides a unique suite of benefits to all species fortunate
enough to experience it. These gifts include being immersed in a neuro-
chemical bath, one that modifies painful memories and provides a vir-
tual reality space in which the brain melds past and present knowledge.

This inspires our creativity and refuels the entire core of our immune
system, helping fight malignancies, prevent infection, and ward off all
manner of sickness.
Dreaming takes place during REM sleep, and this is where healing
begins. This is where, as you dream, rapid eye movements occur, and the
breathing and the heart rate increase The eyes dart back and forth in your
head. All of this sets the stage for providing energy to the body and brain.

Alcohol, barbiturates and other drugs can decrease your chances
for REM sleep. If you say, “I don’t dream anymore the way I used to
dream,” look at the factors that might be affecting your sleep. The bot-
tom line is the lack of sleep also steals your dreams.

***

Fear Is a Good Thing.indd 85 01/09/20 6:45 PM