Healthline Wellness Wire

In a Nutshell

I have super vivid dreams almost every night, and I’d say most of them are downright scary. (Yes, I’m stressed, thanks for asking.) After a bit of research, I learned that it’s possible to improve the quality of your dreams, and it starts with a few important health factors. Let’s dive deeper into some tips to improve your dream realm below.

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Be well,
Morgan Mandriota
Newsletter Editor, Healthline

Written by Morgan Mandriota
October 17, 2026 • 2 min read

what’s got us buzzing

Nightmares, be gone!

💭 How dreams work. Lots of theories exist around why we dream and what dreams are all about. While dreams are tough to research and extremely subjective, they’re usually based on a mix of things going on in your life.

😱 Nightmare causes. More research is needed to better understand our subconscious brains. But nightmares can stem from factors such as stress levels, deep-rooted fears, mental health conditions, or simply random thoughts. You can also experience different types, like night terrors and anxiety dreams, each with its own triggers.

🌙 Tips for sweet(er) dreams. A small 2004 study found that people who sleep on their left side have more nightmares than right-side sleepers (yes, really!). In addition to sleeping on your right side, you can create a dream journal, practice lucid dreaming, and de-stress before bed. But most importantly, having better dreams starts with improving your overall sleep quality.

💤 How to catch better Zzz’s. Try aiming for 7–9 hours of sleep per night, not eating within 3 hours of bedtime, exercising during the day, reducing screen time before bed, and managing your anxiety. If you’re frequently having nightmares, waking up stressed, or sleeping poorly, consider speaking with a therapist or doctor.

Great finds

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Every product we recommend has gone through Healthline's vetting process. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline is owned by RVO Health.

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What we’re reading next

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🧘 Benefits of meditation for anxiety. As an anxious person, being told to meditate can be annoying advice … but it really works.

🍵 Can herbal teas help treat high cholesterol? Learn which ones may help, plus other cholesterol management tips.

🧠 13 brain exercises to keep you mentally sharp. People of all ages can benefit from these games!

Thanks for reading! Enjoy the rest of your day, and we’ll see you again on Wednesday.

Until next time,

Take care of yourself, and we’ll see
you again soon!

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Every product we recommend has gone through either Healthline’s or Optum Now’s vetting processes. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline and Optum Now are owned by RVO Health.