What Your Dreams Are Really Trying To Tell You

Ever dreamt your teeth all fell out? What about flying? We find out whether the worlds we weave in our sleep tell a deeper story.

- Busang Senne

Indian peeps get an estimated six and a half hours of sleep each night, according to a research by Fitbit. In between dusk and dawn, you may dream sweetly—or wake up a little shaken and stirred. Across gender, race, class and culture, the same themes seem to pop up in our subconscious. But if we’re all wired differently, how are our dreams connected?

“Dreams are a universal language, often creating elaborate images out of emotional concepts,” says Suzanne Bergmann, a pro dream worker. While everyone experiences emotions, dreams can have different meaning based on our relationship with those feelings, says clinical psychologist Zamo Mbele. “Dreams provide access to you as a person: your aspirations, your wishes, your fears.” Below are 11 common dreams— and what to make of them.

1 TEETH FALLING OUT

 Teeth play a role in identity and self-esteem, so losing your teeth can mean a fear of losing control, or self-doubt. Zamo says this dream may signify anxiety about self-expression. “It’s frightening to lose your teeth, so there’s anxiety rooted in that.”

2 FALLING PREGNANT

Starting a business that’s pregnant with possibilities? Thinking about a venture that’ll  ”birth something new? This can mean you’re excited for change or craving intimacy, that you want to create, or things are happening beyond your control. “Dreaming you’re pregnant can also signify the fear of intimacy or the fear of letting anyone in, especially in relationships,” says Zamo.

3 BEING CHASED