Nightmares are often viewed as terrible obstacles one must overcome, but in reality, they’re exactly that. Nightmares ARE terrible obstacles. They’re your subconscious arch nemesis manipulating your emotions and dragging you through terror and disaster. So this begs the question: why do I prefer them over dreams? For starters, nightmares offer a variety of benefits due to quite literally being the personal guidebook to your mind. Dreams just suck because they set you up and disappoint you in the morning. No, you can’t fly. No, you can’t talk to animals. And no, your favorite game hasn’t been updated yet. Dreams are sugar-loaded candies while nightmares are foul-tasting medicines. Which is actually better for you?

Now, I should start backing up my point with solid, irrefutable evidence. According to Interesting Engineering, a totally reliable source, nightmares typically represent lingering, underlying issues that could potentially deteriorate your mental health. How could this possibly be good? Well, it’s a natural warning to that very consequence. Nightmares provide understanding to your character, so just run them by your therapist or other medical advisors and you’ll be better in no time. They will be used to dissect your problems, which can help amend them, and you’ll be able to prevent a downpour of unnecessary and negative emotions. 

They also serve as simulations that train and prepare you for the absolute worst of an expected situation. That “absolute worst” likely won’t happen, so it can only strengthen your ability to be ready. My nightmares are constantly training me for the zombie apocalypse, so they’ve clearly been very useful. Additionally, because nightmares expose you to your phobias, you can learn to adapt and face them in a setting where you’re perfectly safe. The experience may even become thrilling! I find it awesome whenever I gain control over a nightmare and do things my way.

Continuing on, my favorite reason is that they offer relief when you wake up and realize what had been taken hadn’t been, and you still have what you should be thankful for. No, you didn’t fail the test. No, you didn’t lose your dog. And no, the zombie apocalypse hasn’t started yet. The experience may not be pleasurable, but it sure gives more than dreams do. Especially since REM sleep, the state your mind is in while you dream, allows your body to focus its blood flow towards other vital organs.

However, nightmares obviously do have downsides. They’re nightmares. My mom had one about dad cheating on her, so now she’s mad at him all day for something he didn’t and wouldn’t do. Who wants to deal with that? Not me. You should heed your nightmares, but don’t let them bleed into your life and lose sight of what’s real. Don’t make your life a nightmare.