id you get up to
some seriously filthy
stuff last night while
you were asleep?
Nearly 10% of all
dreams contain sexual content,* but
if you’re wondering why you didthat
withthem, don’t worry: sleep-sexing
someone doesn’t always mean you
want to get down to it with them IRL.
Dreams analyst Lauri Loewenberg
says most sex dreams are more about
what those individuals represent to
you. Here, she explains what the
unlikely subject is trying to tell you...Your
sex dreams
decoded
Does your sleep see you lusting after total strangers, colleagues
and – eek – your ex? A dreams expert explains why...
A TOTAL STRANGER
A COLLEAGUE
AN EX OR AN ENEMY
YOUR TEACHER A GROUP OF PEOPLE
The “mystery love” storyline is probably
the least awkward of the lot. And in a
twist that’ll crush hopeless romantics,
it doesn’t mean you’re dreaming about
someone who’s out there waiting for
you, says Loewenberg: “This is more
about some aspect of yourself that
you’re trying to get to know.”
Imagining a wild night with someone
unknown could represent a need to
be more authoritative and assertive...
like the kind of badass who’d have an
X-rated encounter with a stranger.You see them every day, so of course
they intrude at night. But there’s a
distinction between sexing your boss
in your dreams versus a junior, says
Loewenberg. If you work for them,
the dream is likely about a power
struggle. Solve it by finding something
to collaborate on. If you did NSFW
things with someone you manage,
think about what they represent to
you. If it’s an assistant who keeps
your life in line, your brain may be
telling you to get your shit together.This is basically a nightmare – and a
common one at that. But dreams that
star you and an ex in a Christian-and-
Anastasia-style tryst aren’t a sign to
reunite. “It’s about what they used to
represent to you,” says Loewenberg.
You might need to bring that energy
into your current relationship. Single?
Try dating in a new way. If it’s someone
you dislike, “Your subconscious is
urging you to reconnect with them,”
says Loewenberg. “It’s not good
to carry around hate.”D
If it’s the professor you’ve always
drooled over in class, this might
simply be a hot-for-your-teacher
situation – in which case, lesson over,
fantasy complete. But if it’s someone
you found legit scary or revolting (and
not just because of their beige chinos),
take note of the subject they taught
you. “If it was English, maybe there’s
some need in your life for better
communication,” says Loewenberg.
“If it was maths, it could be a call to
get better at your finances.”While they might seem crazy fun,
dream orgies are actually a red flag
that you have a lot of distress in your
life. Perhaps you’re experiencing an
overwhelming psychological situation
that’s manifesting as an overload
of people and body parts, says
Loewenberg. It’s time to look for ways
to Marie Kondo busy areas of your
life (or at least put a few things on
the back burner for a while). Cut back
on happy hours for a bit, or maybe
take a trip away to clear your head.