Many people suffer from bad dreams, often called nightmares, every night. It's not uncommon to experience fear-filled sleep from time to time, but some people tend to suffer more often than the occasional bad dream. While some mental health professionals believe that nightmares reduce mental tension by allowing the mind to express fears, new research suggests that bad dreams are more likely to increase anxiety in daily life. Besides life anxieties, what other factors contribute to nightmares and why? Surprised to wake up, barely aware of reality, with a pounding heart and drenched in sweat, people who suffer from nightmares are deeply affected by not being able to sleep peacefully. Things are made worse when the thought of lying down to sleep triggers the anxiety cycle. Chronic nightmares can lead to sleep disturbances and, if left untreated, will develop into sleep disorders requiring medical intervention. Anxiety and stress have long been thought to be the main causes of nightmares. According to the International Association for the Study of Dreams (IASD), traumatic life events such as major surgery, long-term illness, bereavement of a loved one, injury, or loss Being involved in or witnessing a major accident can trigger bad dreams. But traumatic experiences aren't the cause of all nightmares. For many people, ordinary stress caused by work or financial anxiety, or major life changes like moving or divorce, can also trigger sleep disruptions and bad dreams. Because some nightmares are considered a subconscious release of emotions and inner turmoil, feelings of inadequacy, insecurity, and fear can also contribute to night terrors in adults and children. (I...... middle of paper ...... stress and anxiety as well as regular exercise can improve sleep quality and reduce the risk of nightmares or sleep disturbances. Works Cited Angier , Natalie. “Science.” Inside the Dreamscape of Nightmares, Clues to Why We Dream at All. New York Times Company, October 23, 2007. Web. April 8, 2014. “International Association for the Study of Dreams.” International Institute for the Study of Dreams. Np, nd Web. April 8, 2014. Lin, David. “COMFORT FOOD AND YOU” Science Creative Quarterly, April 9, 2014. Sussex Publishers, LLC, May 13, 2010. Web April 8.. 2014. .