Improve your mental well-being with BetterHelp (Sponsored)Connect
ScienceOur AppThemesEncyclopediaDreamsBlog
Try now
What is a Dream Journal and How to Maintain One?
Denys Chumak

Denys Chumak

15 Oct 2024

What is a Dream Journal and How to Maintain One?

Dreams have always intrigued humans, providing a glimpse into our subconscious mind. However, it’s quite frustrating when you forget about your dreams just seconds after waking up. In fact, according to a study, most people forget 95% of their dreams right after waking up due to the neurochemical conditions in the brain that occur during REM sleep.

Maintaining a dream journal or diary can help you remember and understand your dreams better. This guide will cover what is a dream journal, the best options for keeping one, and how DreamApp can enhance your dream-keeping experience.

About Dream Analysis

Before we look into what is a dream journal, let’s discuss what is dream analysis. Dream analysis helps you find the hidden messages in your dreams. When you sleep, your brain processes thoughts and emotions from your day. Scientists believe dreams are a way for your brain to sort out memories and feelings.

So, if you were thinking that they are just some random occurrences, you migst be wrong. By studying the details of your dreams, you can see what your subconscious is trying to tell you. It's just like finding clues to understand yourself better.

What is a Dream Journal?

A dream journal is a diary where you record your dreams. By penning down your dreams, you can study them better. It's a great way to explore your subconscious mind and notice patterns or recurring themes. Studies have shown that keeping a dream diary can improve your dream recall and even enhance your creativity.

Why Keep a Dream Diary?

Keeping a dream diary has numerous benefits. Let’s see how they can help:

1. Improves Dream Recall: Regularly writing down your dreams helps you remember them more vividly. This is especially important for dream researchers.

2. Boosts Creativity: Dreams can be your source of inspiration for creative projects.

3. Identifies Patterns: A dream diary can help you notice recurring dream themes or symbols.

4. Helps with Problem-Solving: Sometimes, dreams can indirectly present solutions to problems you're facing in real life.

How to Keep a Dream Journal

If you’re wondering about ways to maintain a dream diary, you’ve got many. Here is how to keep a dream journal:

1. Traditional Notebook

Simply keep a notebook by your bedside. This is the most traditional way to keep a dream diary. It's easy to use and doesn't require any technology. You can personalize your notebook with drawings or notes, making it a unique record of your dream experiences.

2. Dream Journal App

A dream journal app, like DreamApp, offers a very convenient way to record your dreams. A dream journal app comes with features like voice recording, mood tracking, and dream analysis. It's an excellent way for anyone serious about dream analysis. DreamApp allows you to search through your entries easily, making it simple to find recurring symbols or themes.

3. Digital Document

Having a digital document on your computer or tablet is another way to keep a dream diary. This way, you can easily edit and organize your dreams. You can opt for templates to structure your entries and make them more organized.

How to Use a Dream Journal

Here are some tips on how to make use of a dream journal effectively:

1. Write Immediately After Waking Up

As we already discussed, dreams fade quickly, so it's crucial to write them down as soon as you wake up. Otherwise, there is no point in a dream journal. We suggest you keep your dream diary or dream journal app handy by your bedside. This practice will help you capture the details before they slip away.

2. Be Detailed

Make sure you include as many details as you can. Describe the people, places, emotions, and any symbols you remember. The more detailed your entries, the easier it will be to analyze and understand your dreams later.

3. Record Every Dream

Record every single dream, even if it seems unimportant. Over time, you can notice patterns or themes that you didn't see before. Every dream can provide valuable insights, so it's essential to record all of them.

4. Use a Consistent Format

Using a consistent format can make it easier to analyze your dreams. You might include sections like the date, dream description, and your thoughts or feelings about the dream. This structure can help you track patterns and themes more effectively.

5. Reflect on Your Dreams

Take time to read back through your dream diary regularly. You may find some connections between your dreams and your real life that you didn't notice before. Sometimes, you only relate a situation when it’s fresh.

6. Try DreamApp

DreamApp offers an advanced and modern dream journal with many features that make keeping a dream diary easier and more insightful. With voice recording, mood tracking, and detailed dream analysis, DreamApp is an excellent tool for anyone serious about their dreams.

Features of DreamApp

DreamApp stands out as a top dream journal app with its variety of features:

Voice Recording: Writing may seem tiring right after waking up. Here, you can opt for the voice recording option on the app to narrate your dreams.

Mood Tracking: You can track your emotions associated with each dream to understand how your dreams relate to your current emotional state.

Dream Analysis: Learn about common themes and symbols in your dreams. DreamApp provides interpretations and suggestions based on your entries.

Secure Storage: Keep your dream diary safe and private. DreamApp uses encryption to ensure your data is protected.

Easy Sharing: Share your dreams with friends or therapists if you want. This feature can be helpful if you're seeking advice or support.

Common Dream Symbols and Their Interpretations

Dreams often have symbols that can have different meanings. Here are some common dream symbols and their interpretations:

Dream of Water: Emotions or the subconscious mind.

Dream of Flying: Freedom or a desire to escape.

Dream of Teeth Falling Out: Anxiety or a loss of control.

Chasing: Feeling pursued or threatened by something in life.

Interesting Psychological Facts About Dreams

Following are some of the most interesting psychological facts about dreams that you can’t miss:

1. Everybody Dreams: If someone is telling you that they have never dreamt, they are lying. Everyone experiences dreams every night. There could be a case where they do not remember them. Even animals dream!

2. Blind People Dream: Have you ever had this thought: can blind people dream who are blind from birth? Yes, they do. However, their dreams involve other senses, such as sound, touch, and smell, instead of actual visuals.

3. Emotions in Dreams: It is likely that you experience anxiety in dreams. Well, its the most common emotion experienced. Negative emotions are more prevalent than positive ones in dreams.

4. Dreams Can Be Controlled: Some people can actually control their dreams. Surprising, right? They can do so through a practice called lucid dreaming. You probably have had a dream where you know that you’re dreaming and it’s not actually real. During such experiences, people can sometimes change the outcome of their dreams.

5. Recurring Dreams: Was there a time when you got the same dream repeatedly? It’s quite common. But, I’m sure it must have left you a bit unsettled, thinking about what it must be trying to tell.

6. Dreams and Creativity: Did you know many famous inventions and artistic works have been inspired by dreams? For example, the sewing machine idea came to Elias Howe in a dream!

8. You Can Dream in Color or Black and White: While you mostly have had dreams in color, some people have them in black and white. Studies suggest that this might be linked to the type of television they watched as children.

Final Thoughts

Keeping a dream diary can offer insights into your subconscious mind. Whether you choose a traditional notebook or a modern dream journal app like DreamApp, the key is to be consistent and detailed in your recordings. Start journalling your dreams today to uncover the hidden meanings.

FAQs

1. What is a dream journal?

A dream journal is a diary where you record your dreams to better understand them.

2. Why should I keep a dream diary?

Keeping a dream diary helps improve dream recall, boosts creativity, identifies patterns, and can help with problem-solving.

3. How do I start a dream journal?

First, start by keeping a notebook or using a dream journal app like DreamApp. Note down your dreams immediately after waking up.

4. What is the best dream journal app?

DreamApp is one of the best dream journal apps, offering features like voice recording, mood tracking, and dream analysis.

5. Can a dream diary help with nightmares?

Yes, keeping a dream diary can help you understand and manage recurring nightmares.

6. Do I need to write down every dream?

Yes, even insignificant dreams can provide valuable insights over time.

Disclaimer: Dreams remain highly individual, and the interpretations in this article are not universal. For personalized insights, it is recommended to consult a qualified specialist.

What Does it Mean When You Dream About Kissing Someone?

Previous blog

What Does it Mean When You Dream About Kissing Someone?

The Unconscious Mind: A Journey into the Depths of Our Psyche

Next blog

The Unconscious Mind: A Journey into the Depths of Our Psyche

Did you have an unusual dream with this symbol?

Let's analyze this dream with our expert!

At least five words, please.

Lock

Your dreams are completely private

Take control of your dream emotions in the free mobile app

App StoreGoogle Play
Home Description

The most recent users' dreams

Go to the user dreams page

16 Jan 2025

dream-about-militia-capturing-loved-ones
Being chased by murderer
Darkness
Family
Police
Trapped

Dream

A group of bad guys like a militia took a lot of males including my dad and brother. The males they took were on their knees and they started to kill them using machetes, directly into their necks. My mom and I were observing all these crazy act from a high building. I yelled at my mom to please let me go to the police. I knew I could make it to the police station to save my brother and dad. I was so frustrated because she didn’t let me go . She was afraid I might get captured and killed. So I went to the roof of the building to see if I could access the police station but the darkness of the night didn’t allow me to see forward. At the end they all got killed and the people that were on the top of the building didn’t allow me either to go to the police. They put traps or say things for Me not to go. So we all can survive .

16 Jan 2025

dream-about-parallel-worlds-and-falling
Abandoned home
Alien
Husband
Grandmother
Children
Stairs

Dream

My dream started off, it seemed like I was in kind of like a parallel world, one of the houses that I grew up in, like a log cabin, and each room I would go in would be different than it was when I was little, and there were like more beds in there, like maybe more people or more siblings or something, and then I kind of jumped to being in a room with who I thought were my kids, I didn't see their faces, but they were being really rambunctious and like broke this plant, like they were very careless, and then I went to carry the plant down the stairs, and the stairs were the stairs that I got pushed down, yeah basically pushed down when I was a child, anyway, the dirt fell down the stairs, and then my grandmother, well we kind of jumped in the dream, and then my grandmother went sliding down the stairs, fell, and then I called for my husband to come out, and he was kind of being grumpy about it, but finally came and helped, and then like I saw her like slumped over at the bottom of the stairs, and then the dream jumped to me and my husband living in California in some random house on a hill, and then we watched some either like alien ship launch or rocket or something, while we were out there, we, I don't know, went to take the garbage out, there were, he had brought the mattress out to the side of the street, and then while we were talking, and this face would start changing, like into like people that I knew, or I don't know, like scarier faces, I guess, and what was face changed into some face, I don't remember recognizing, and then I just woke up to this feeling of, of, it's almost like grabbing my throat, someone grabbing my throat, or pinning me down, but it was like I felt this really big don't touch me in the throat area of peace, and then I woke up very panicked.

16 Jan 2025

Fear
Angry at mom
Friend
Car
Crying
Family

Dream

First it was animal crossing and I was being chased by scorpions so i when into villager’s house to hide, then sometimes i would lay on their bed and they would lay onto of me making me unable to leave the bed. But when I came out of their house the scorpion was still there. I tried a different strat of catching them carring a flashlight, it didn’t work. Then I started looking for them in the rain and they got smart and would bring another big with their claws, release it when I’m about to swing my net and I capture that instead then the scorpion stings me. Then the dream switches. I’m about to get tattoos one on my arm of a lion and the other one of me and my cat. But the one of my cat requires them to break every bone in my arm. I sketch of where I want the rainbow lion tattoo, only realizing I drew it too low on my arm. I go to the bathroom to clean it off. After I’m done I think of shower then my mom starts knocking on the door saying there’s no time. I go out and quickly grab my bag, my phone charger and my winter jacket. I get in the car only realizing have way that I forgot my glasses. Then on my jacket I see a case of my spare glasses, “Oh I’m fine I found my spare glasses, I forgot I left them in the car haha.” Then when I get to the destination it was my choir group having dinner at a place similar to Apple Bees. I sat in the middle of the booth next to my friends, and I thought to myself “Gosh I feel stinky, did I even put on deodorant? My hair looks greasy doesn’t it…” Then my mom and my sister were also there and my mom started talking for a toast. In the middle of it I just angrily say “Oh shut up!”. I get scolded by my dad of not treating mommy that way then I get upset and lock myself in the bathroom forgot I took a burrito with me instead of leaving it on the table. I take a bite of it then remember I’m not supposed to eat in bathrooms. So I wrapped it in its wrapping the best I could and shoved it in my pocket. Then my mom knocks on the door saying she’s sorry and we need to talk to my sister cuz she’s crying. I wash my face and I’m like “fineee”. Me and mom mom go into her room, she’s on her bed crying with her cat ontop of her. She turns around and says “This was supposed to be Lee’s special day… And you had to go around and ruin it.” I say nothing as my mom taking over the conversation, she tries to explain her actions, there was a little back and forth. Then my sister says “See that’s your problem!” Then the dream switches and I’m a deer specialist Bambi and other people that are always baby animals. We are behind some bushes and a scientist tells us to duck all the way to the floor and cover our ears. Then the ground opens and out comes out a giant dish then it has some square holes on the size of the cylinder under the dish. “Test one!” The scientist says. The dish rotates a little and a giant pink boom wave comes out of it, I could feel it on my chest and the tree would shake from the released pressure. I say “omg that’s so loud that’s scary.”, someone else says “Don’t stand up or you’ll be cut in half.” “o-oh” I say. “Test two and this one goes ove the whole country!”.. the same boom happens. And now we are free to go, they show us up how the dish works, then one of the workers tripped over wires and shut the whole thing down “Oop! My bad” he says then turn is on again. Then a bird crashes into the dish’s and doesn’t the boom again. “You might want to see a real scientist.” I say. Her “Oh I plan too”. Then she goes and meets a professor that looks like Einstein. “Let me introduce you to my daughter” they both say at the same time. Then they realize their daughters already know each other and are a mirror image of each other. The look at the giant coins that are the size of their bodies, they have the same last name, “oh that’s kinda creepy” he says. “Any way I was planning on analyzing this thing tho know what’s wrong” she says. “No no you got it all wrong, analyzing is when you already know that problem” the professor says. Then the dream switches and I’m on my bed, I think I woke up, it was still dark outside so I thought it was probably 5am. I looked at my hand and there was a tiny scorpion on my middle finger I scream, I proceed to slap my hand against the wall. I look at it again and it’s still there I scream again then I accidentally wake up.

16 Jan 2025

dream-about-weird-coworkers-children-and-violence
Being chased by murderer
Violence and death
Abandoned home
Sister
Airport
Baby

Dream

I had 3 interesting dreams last night. In the first one, I was with my old coworkers at my house. It all just felt weird to me, like I was the odd one out. One of them, Janiqua, who was my closest friend at the time, explained to me that she’s sorry because they have inside jokes and lore that I’m not aware of. The house was a mess and nobody helped me clean up. In the second one, I was in an airport. This random man was pushing a stroller with I think two kids, but I only remember one. He asked me for directions to his gate. We got to his gate and he was handling something on his phone so I watched the stroller. The child was really really small with kind of a big head. I assumed maybe she was born prematurely. His gate number wasn’t for an airplane though, it was for a boat. The man boarded first without the stroller and the baby. The platform was swaying badly and the stroller nearly fell out the door but I caught it. I was stressed and scared and kept thinking that this has to be the wrong gate because of the danger. In the third one, I was in a classroom with Jack, the UK guy that broke my heart, and Cam, his friend, along with random other guys. My sister Teri was there, on a table, acting strangely. She was on all fours and acting really sexual. Of course the guys enjoyed it, but I pulled her aside and asked “what’s wrong with you?”. The dream suddenly warped to seeing this character Neal Caffrey from a TV show I’ve been watching starting acting strangely as well. In the show, he’s never killed anyone. But in my dream, it was as if he had a breakdown. He started shooting people dead in front of me. He tried to hurt me but somehow I managed to get into a room and close and lock the door long enough to call 911. It was the first time I used a phone in a dream. It took forever to type in 911 because I kept messing up, but eventually I did it, to Neal”s dismay. I tell the officers “you need to come to my address, there’s a guy, Neal Caffrey, and he’s already killed multiple people, he’s trying to hurt me, get here quickly!” This is how I found out I was back at my own house even though the interior looked nothing like it. Neal runs outside and to the right down the street, in the east direction. I contemplate chasing after him to keep track of him, but I see the lights of the police coming down from north to my house, so I take one last glance at Caffrey and stay to tell approaching officers he’s on foot. I don’t remember anything else after that except being scared out of my mind.

16 Jan 2025

Argument
Apartment
Basketball
Party
Relationship
Guy

Dream

I had a dream where I was watching some people play basketball, I guess, and there was this one guy that I thought was cute, and we started talking, and then we started kind of seeing each other off and on, and I invited him over to like my place and whatnot. She was not happy about it, and she was kind of like trying to stop me a little bit and find out where I lived. She ended up coming to my house as a party or whatever, and tried to find out if he was with me, and like cheating on him, or cheating on her with me, which he wasn't, because they were separated, and there were times that she would just kind of like try and go over to my house, and she wanted me to go over to like their place, because it was really weird and kind of complicated, but they like still kind of got along. She seemed to be a little bit more accepting of the fact that their relationship was over and that he's kind of moving on, and he and I seemed to be really compatible, and everything seems to be working out, and right before the dream ended, I was at their sort of like penthouse mansion in a city. It was weird. I was like on top of their roof while the two of them like argued. I watched both of them argue about everything, and it was just really, really strange.

© 2024 Dreamapp Ltd

Follow us on Social:

Privacy PolicyEULADo not sell my personal information
Contact Us
Dream App

Dream App

Free dream interpretations

1213 Five Star Reviews

(1,213)

Install