These are the most common dreams Irish people have and what they actually mean

Dreams usually have a deeper meaning...

Scientists may still debate the meaning and purpose of dreams, but we ordinary dreamers seem to have an insatiable desire to discover the who, what and why of what happens when we close our eyes at night. It’s hard not to believe that at least some of our sleep-time scenarios are imbued with some sort of significance. Dreams can manifest confusion in your mind as you begin to question what it means and whether it has a deeper meaning. But, our dreams give us insights into feelings and internal struggles of which we may not always be aware of according to holistic therapist and teacher Alison Byrne. We spoke to her about some of the most common dreams people have and what they can mean. Dream analysis can be a powerful tool for self-understanding and here is a very small insight into what you can learn from some of the more common ones. The Leaving Cert The dream that many people in Ireland suffer around June each year. It's one of the most common dreams for Irish people according to Alison. People usually have this dream because they're suffering from stress in their lives. For many people, one of the most stressful things they'll do is sit the Leaving Cert. It's such a huge exam with a long build-up. Then when you're stressed in your life in later years, your subconscious reverts back to a time when you were similarly stressed. Hence why your subconscious brings you back to that fateful day, often with the small detail of not knowing anything about the exam you're sitting. Hell. Teeth falling out Another dream which Alison encounters regularly. Thankfully it has nothing to do with your oral hygiene... probably. The origins of this dreams are rooted in insecurity. So many more things have to be taken into account if you want to establish the source of your insecurity. Little things as insignificant as the weather in your dream can help to indicate the reasons. Further analysis is needed to find the direct source of the insecurity. A common but tricky one to figure out. Death This one's more of a theme than a particular dream. Many people report a loved one dying or even themselves dying in their dreams and panic, thinking it's a premonition of something awful. It's quite the opposite. It's more representative. It can mean the end of an old way of life and the beginning of something new. It represents change, rather than physical death. Men dreaming of being a woman and vice versa A more common dream than you think. But Alison said that people don't often like to talk about it because they find it embarrassing. But the meaning is not to do with sexuality or gender. It can mean that your subconscious is looking at traits prevalent in a member of the opposite sex and you're wondering if you're exhibiting enough of said trait yourself. Naked in public Dreaming of being naked in a public place is one most people have had at some stage. This comes from a fear of being exposed. It could be something simple like thinking if people knew the real you, would they still like you? Or it's common when starting a new relationship. Your subconscious is thinking about how much of yourself you are willing to reveal to the new person in your life. Not just physically, but emotionally as well. Going to the toilet Believe it or not, this is one of the best dreams that you can have. It's the most positive one on the list. It's simple, dreaming of successfully going to the toilet is your mind telling you that you're able to let something go. You're not holding onto bad thoughts and letting them fester. You're moving on. However, if the toilet is dirty or you're struggling to use it in the dream, it can mean quite the opposite of the above. A trend that becomes evident when discussing your dreams is many are interpreted in a negative light. This is because we tend to focus and hold onto the negative thoughts, which comes back to bite us in the ass as soon as we close our eyes... One way a person can try and avoid it is each time you find yourself thinking a negative thought, try and replace it with a positive one... easier said than done though, I'm afraid.