How Dreaming Affects The Brain

Lola MagazineDonesa Walker, Kiddos

At this time of year, many of us have our thoughts turned to the “I Have a Dream” speech made by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963. Especially in light of our recent elections, dreams have in many began to be realized again or worried on depending on your feelings about the election. Dream is an abstract word to encompass a lot of things, especially feelings.

Most parents would state that they have dreams for their own children and try their best to help their children achieve their dreams, but this is only one facet of dreaming. There are actually 7-10 different meanings to the word dream depending on its particular use. This 13th century word actually came from a meaning of making a joyful noise like in music. Knowing this, how can we use dreaming to enhance our thinking ability and to actually change our world and our brain for the better?

The brain is an amazing organ of over 100 billion neurons that each have a purpose, and these connections are only part of what makes the amazing creation that God designed. From the earliest Biblical stories, it is obvious that God used dreams and visions to impart wisdom to his people and to see long term goals. According to four different recent studies, dreaming while napping allows the brain to creatively problem solve and can boost performance on specific tasks by as much as 40%, but the issue becomes how to make sure you dream/problem solve when you nap or sleep. Can daydreaming actually be good for your brain? Are we doing a disservice to our children by cutting out naps in lower elementary and not allowing them to “daydream”? These are all great questions that are being explored in current research. Two things that have major impact with sure footing are that the neural cognitive systems in the brain are activated during dreaming to help compile memory, and that these same neural systems are activated with “dreamscape” short-term napping as well.

What are the implications and how can this be harnessed to help your brain thrive?

First, it is important that you get a good night’s rest often as this leads to better cognitive function in general as well as to the potential for dreaming and boosting those creative juices.

Second, taking the time and allowing yourself to daydream in a controlled way is beneficial as it reduces stress levels while allowing your brain to think and cement memory. In a classroom, this means a few minutes of true down time for the students-time to download that short- term information into a long- term memory by allowing doodling while doodling!

Third, create a “dreamscape” environment when you rest. Set your mind on what you want to think on. Scripture tells us to think on good things. Research tells us that thinking positively will allow your brain to decompress your emotions and enter a place of restful thoughts.

Fourth, if you have a particular problem you are trying to solve, journal about it or think about by restating it positively as you sit down or lie down to rest.

Next, boost your cognitive function by being deliberate about both physical and mental exercises. Again, recent studies show that those who have strong cognitive function get the most benefit from creative dreaming.

Finally, goal setting or labeling your dreams sets up reality checkpoints that you can “dream” about and allows you to set your mind on things in the future which means the current things won’t bog you down as much. In life, this means an ABC list. A is the urgent tasks that must be completed immediately as in today or sooner, and B is the list of things you would like to accomplish within the immediate future such as this week or month. C is the wish list or dream list of things as well as those things that need to be done but don’t immediately affect the outcome of tomorrow. These lists are malleable and things shift from place to place so writing them on a dry erase board or a list that is “scratchable” is important.

We all have a dream for world peace and prosperity for all just as many of our leaders in the past and future have done. Your part to play in this dream is to keep dreaming, get proper rest, set your thoughts on things above and get busy achieving that which is in your path. So in this current dreamy state of mind, GO DREAM BIG!!!

For boosting your cognitive skills and functions, contact LearningRx of Shreveport at 318.797.8523 or email us at Shreveport.la@learningrx.net


Ways To Achieve Your Dreams


  • Rest well and often so you can dream!
  • Daydream Possibilities!
  • Dreamscape-plan your dreams!
  • Prioritize your responsibilities with your dreams in the mix!
  • Celebrate your success and dream of future successes!
  • Boost your cognitive function through brain training with deliberate exercise!

written By Donesa Walker, M.Ed,
owner of LearningRx of Shreveport-Bossier