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Review
. 2021;19(3):207-213.
doi: 10.1007/s41105-021-00313-0. Epub 2021 Jan 27.

Orchestration of dreams: a possible tool for enhancement of mental productivity and efficiency

Dolly Krishnan  1
Affiliations
Review

Orchestration of dreams: a possible tool for enhancement of mental productivity and efficiency

Dolly Krishnan. Sleep Biol Rhythms. 2021.

Abstract

Deciphering the significance of dreams, remains a dream till date. A little is known about its underlying mechanism, brain regions involved and implications with wake life. This review is aimed to investigate the latest developments to summarize the differences in nature of dreams in Rapid eye movement and Non rapid eye movement sleep, possible role of dreams in day to day life with larger focus on Lucid Dreaming- its significant role in elevating productivity and efficiency. To carry out this review, combination of keywords like Lucid Dreaming, Rapid eye movement, Non rapid eye movement, Sleep Cycle, Dream Patterns, molecular mechanism of dreaming etc. were entered in databases like National library of Medicine, Google Scholar etc. Nature and composition of dreams are distinct in different sleep phases and it tends to influence cognitive skills, memory consolidation, mood and personal temperaments. It was observed that dreams in distinct phases, can be directly/indirectly related to development of cognition, skill enhancements, learning, healing, and even stress management affecting overall performance and productivity of an individual. Understanding the nature of dream contents in different phases can possibly inculcate insights for not only recovery aid in several mental illnesses but for elevated efficiency and productivity in normal individuals as well. Realising dreams as an effective tool for its contribution in daily activities might help organising our mood and overall mental well-being, a foremost component to thrive in the contemporary world which is currently undergoing the chaos of Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Keywords: Anxiety; COVID-19 pandemic; Coping stress; Lucid dreaming; Mental well-being; REM/NREM dream patterns.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interestThe author states no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Typical sleep cycle with detailed stages of NREM and REM. Duration of each stage/phase is depicted in initial sleep cycles [24]
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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