Wed, 06 Dec 2023 17:16:31 +0000WeeblyWed, 30 Dec 2020 09:52:32 GMThttp://dreamsid.com/covid-19-lockdown-and-dreaming/review-of-scientific-studies-into-the-effects-of-the-covid-19-lockdown-on-dreamingThis short review in the online magazine The Conversation describes three experiments that have investigated the ways in which the Covid-19 Lockdown has affected our dreams. The article includes a painting of a dream told to DreamsID near the end of the Spring/Summer 2020 Lockdown.   https://theconversation.com/coronavirus-dreams-how-anger-sadness-and-fear-crept-in-during-lockdown-new-research-151052
 
]]>Wed, 30 Dec 2020 09:40:56 GMThttp://dreamsid.com/covid-19-lockdown-and-dreaming/excellent-documentary-on-covid-19-and-dreaming-from-australian-broadcasting-corporationListen here to an excellent documentary on the effects that Covid-19 and Lockdown have had on dreams, with contributions from experts worldwide, and including details and recordings from the DreamsID activities and events during the pandemic. The documentary was originally broadcast by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on 15th August 2020.    
]]>Tue, 28 Jul 2020 11:51:17 GMThttp://dreamsid.com/covid-19-lockdown-and-dreaming/article-in-sublime-magazine-on-our-covid-19-lockdown-dreams-project-17th-july-2020Sublime magazine has published six of the dreams discussed and painted as part of our Covid-19 Lockdown project. The article includes Julia Lockheart's comments on each painting and a summary of the discussion.
https://sublimemagazine.com/exploring-lockdown-dreams   ]]>Wed, 08 Apr 2020 08:12:49 GMThttp://dreamsid.com/covid-19-lockdown-and-dreaming/recent-media-reportsNew Scientist article reporting on our Covid-19 Lockdown project, illustrated by a painting from the project, 30th April 2020
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2242379-how-coronavirus-is-affecting-your-dreams-and-what-to-do-about-it/ 

BBC World TV interview of Mark Blagrove, about the effects of the Covid-19 Lockdown on sleep and dreaming, 7th April 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wB6X7hUTlHQ

Article on Covid-19 and dreaming by Vice Media, including interviews with Mark Blagrove and Deirdre Barrett, editor of the APA's journal Dreaming
https://www.vice.com/en_uk/article/3a8mdb/were-all-having-coronavirus-dreams-now

Vogue article on anxiety dreams during the Covid-19 Lockdown
https://www.vogue.co.uk/beauty/article/anxiety-dreams]]>Wed, 01 Apr 2020 15:07:37 GMThttp://dreamsid.com/covid-19-lockdown-and-dreaming/effects-of-the-covid-19-lockdown-on-dreaming​We have been receiving numerous press enquiries over recent days, many of which remark on there being increased dream recall in the current pandemic situation. Here are some thoughts on this:
Dream recall might be increasing due to people spending longer asleep, and as a result having more REM sleep. This is the sleep stage from which most dreams are recalled, 80% of awakenings from REM sleep result in a dream being recalled. REM sleep predominates in the second half of the night, rather than the first half, and so extended sleep will consist of more REM sleep.
Lack of work schedules may be allowing individuals to wake up without an alarm clock. Such spontaneous awakenings are known to result in longer dreams, partly because an uninterrupted REM sleep period will on average be longer than an interrupted one.
Our dreams are more likely to incorporate memories from recent waking life that are emotional, rather than less emotional or neutral ones. Although some people in the lockdown may be bored and have uneventful days, the enforced family or social aspect of the lockdown may result in more emotional experiences, which are then incorporated into dreams. These more vivid dreams are themselves more memorable.
Dreams are usually forgotten quickly, and especially if one is distracted or busy on waking. During the lockdown more people will have time to recollect and memorise dreams that they wake up with.
Due to there being more unstructured time after waking, there will then be greater opportunities to share dreams with significant others. Our published work has shown that this can lead to greater understanding and empathy towards the life circumstances of the dreamer and towards the events and concerns of their recent emotional life.
Social and cultural changes might thus slowly occur, of more positive attitudes towards dreams and towards dream-sharing, and of greater empathy between people, as a result of more time being available for the consideration, appreciation, sharing and discussion of dreams.
We are aiming to encourage these positive changes through the discussion and painting of dreams online, during the coming months.  ]]>