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COVID-19 Effect On Dreams: New Study Of 1000 Americans

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Updated

Key Takeaways

  • Increased Vivid Dreams: Approximately 87.3% of respondents reported experiencing unusual dreams during the pandemic, and 16.7% believed that their dreams had become more vivid since the pandemic began. This suggests that the global health crisis has had a notable impact on the content and intensity of people’s dreams.
  • Common Dream Themes: The most common theme was related to job and work situations, with 48.8% of respondents reporting such dreams. This was followed by dreams of sexual and romantic experiences (42.3%) and dreams related to social distancing and isolation (30%). Additionally, dreams about ex-partners were reported by 21.2% of participants, with a higher percentage among women (64.4%) than men (35.6%).
  • Impact on Emotions and Sleep Patterns: Waking up from vivid dreams during the pandemic has often been associated with emotional changes, such as increased anxiety and confusion, as reported by 69.7% of respondents. Physical changes, including headaches and sweating, were noted by 30.3%. The survey also highlighted a connection between sleep duration and the likelihood of experiencing vivid dreams, with a higher percentage (60.6%) of participants who slept for at least 7 hours per day reporting vivid dreams.

In May 2020, we asked 1000 respondents across the United States to share their experience on how COVID-19 pandemic affects their dreams. The results reveal interesting data from common themes in dream to the fact that people are getting  more vivid dreams during Coronavirus pandemic.

I. Survey Demographics

Who Took The Survey

We surveyed 1000 Americans from 18 years to 60 years and older. 56.2% of them are female while 43.3% are male.

II. Survey Results

Vivid Dream Experience During The COVID-19 Pandemic

87.3% of Americans reported that they have been experiencing unusual dream since coronavirus pandemic. 16.7% of respondents believed that their dreams have become more vivid since the pandemic

Common Themes In Vivid Dreams During The COVID-19 Pandemic

  • Job and situation at work won the most common theme in Americans’ dreams over the last 3 months with 48.8% of votes
  • 42.3% of participants voted for sexual and romantic experience, making this theme the runner-up in the race
  • Social distancing and isolation took the third place with 30% of votes, interestingly, dreams about exes nearly reached this figure

Vivid Dream About Exes When Sleeping With Your Partner? You are Not Alone Because:

  • 21.2% of Americans admitted to have vivid dreams about their exes when sleeping with their partner during the Covid-19
  • Among the participants that confessed having vivid dreams about their exes when sleeping with partner, 64.4% of votes came from women while the figure is only 35.6% from men

Noticeable Changes When Waking Up From Vivid Dreams Since The COVID-19 pandemic

  • Changes in emotion, specifically anxiety and confusion placed ahead of majority with 69.7% of reports while physical changes with headache and sweating took over 30.3%
  • 49.8% of women experienced emotional changes after waking up from vivid dreams while the figure is 44.3% in men

Less Sleep Means More Vivid Dream? The Truth Is:

  • Only 2.4% of Americans who sleep less than 4 hours have experienced vivid dream
  • Meanwhile, 60.6% of participants with at least 7 hours of sleep per day are potentially vivid dreamers

Connection Between Sleep Disorders And Vivid Dreams

  • 89.5% of Americans who have been diagnosed with sleep disordersVerified Source Medline PlusOnline resource offered by the National Library of Medicine and part of the National Institutes of Health.View source over the last 3 months, reported having experienced vivid unusual dreams during the pandemic
  • People aged 18 to 29 are at the highest risk of having sleep disorders, with up to 64.3%. In comparison to the group of those over 60 years old, only 7.1% of respondents have been diagnosed with sleep disorders

III. Methodology And Limitations

To collect the data shown above, we launched a survey of 1000 respondents in the United States who have experienced vivid unusual dreams during the COVID-19 pandemic. An attention-checker question was included to ensure the participants did not mindlessly answer questions.

Because the survey relies on self-reporting, issues such as telescoping and exaggeration can influence responses. Please also note that this survey’s results do not reflect our opinions.

IV. Fair Use Statement

If you know someone who could benefit from our findings, feel free to share this project with them. The graphics and content are available for noncommercial reuse. All we ask is that you link back to this page so that readers get all the necessary information and our contributors receive proper credit.

V. Other Readings

About the author
Kiera Pritchard

Kiera Pritchard’s curiosity around dreams and dreaming sparked her passion for sleep science. In addition to freelancing for eachnight, Kiera is also a physical trainer and strives to help others lead healthy lives while asleep and awake. Since joining our team, Kiera has compiled multiple sleep health guides offering our readers advice on how to improve their days and evenings.

Find more articles by Kiera

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