These task-based dreams are most likely to occur early in the dream cycle. They may even occur during our hypnagogic state. Unlike many other early-night dreams, the task-based dreams tend to be fairly long and slow-moving. They are linear and tend to move in a systematic manner (given their work-related focus). We are participants in these dreams and are rarely highly creative or imaginative in addressing the work-related task.
This lack of creativity is usually not a great loss since we typically can’t remember the results of what we have been working on in our dreams. While we often regret the lack of recall when we assume that the dream work was highly creative, this assumption is rarely accurate (as determined by dreams that are collected in a sleep laboratory). Mostly, the work-based dreams motivate us to turn to the task after we have gotten up in the morning and perhaps rushed through breakfast.
Vivid Dreams
As the name implies, these dreams tend to be quite forceful (fast-burning). As Flash Bulbs, these dreams are rarely complex or drawn out. Under conditions of high fever and with our active participant in the dream, the message to be delivered is often straightforward: “Get me out of here!” Or “I dream of better times.” The imagery can be quite vivid, but it is usually not very creative.
We are anchored in the pain of reality and are rarely very creative; though, with a dose of some strong painkiller, our dreams can become quite bizarre and can bleed into our waking life. I remember once being on a major painkiller while in a hospital bed and reading a book. New characters were soon coming into my book! I asked them to leave, but they remained to enrich the story I was reading. I soon came to welcome them into my waking life and found the book I was reading to be even more interesting than when I was “sober.”
An unusual condition known as REM Rebound is often the cause of vivid, intense dreams. REM rebound is defined as the increase in Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep that occurs after a period of sleep deprivation or reduced REM sleep. This phenomenon happens as the body compensates for lost sleep by extending the duration and intensity of REM sleep in subsequent sleep cycles. It is a natural response to ensure adequate restorative sleep. REM rebound can also be our mind’s response to being excessively stressed. So, when we’re asleep, we experience heightened brain activity, which creates more powerful imagery. Some people might also experience vivid dreams when struggling with high fevers or (as I did) with heavy medications.
Hypnagogic and Hypnopompic States
The hypnagogic state takes place in the period of drowsiness immediately preceding sleep. Hypnagogia operates as the transitional state from wakefulness to sleep. It is the waning state of consciousness during the onset of sleep. The opposite state is identified as hypnopompia. This hypnopompic state operates as the transition from sleep to wakefulness. It is the state of consciousness leading out of sleep. Both the hypnagogic and hypnopompic states operate as periods between dreaming and waking that often generate vivid hallucinations, which can be visual, auditory, or tactile. Our toes suddenly swell up or our legs extend out several additional feet. Our train of thought becomes random, as do our feelings.
