The Most Common Recurring Dreams — and What They Mean

Dreams are absurd and unpredictable. However, while we each have our unique dream experiences, there’s a lot of commonality in what we dream about. Many of us share the same feelings of desire, nostalgia, and stress that are often the root cause of so many dreams — but why do we often get the same dream repeatedly? Here are the most common recurring dreams and what they might mean.

Being Chased

More than 50% of people experience these unpleasant dreams. Being chased in a dream may mean you’re avoiding something important in real life, or that you’re refusing to accept something you disagree with. If you’re the one doing the chasing, it may mean you feel like you’re falling behind in life and need to catch up.

Being Unprepared for a Test

Being transported back to school just in time for an exam you’re unprepared for is a common recurring dream. This situation usually represents real-life deadlines, which manifest as exams in the dream world. If you feel anxious about a work project or an upcoming major life event, that sense of unpreparedness can creep into your dreams.

Falling

Falling is one of the most common recurring dreams. It often indicates a deep sensation of helplessness. If you feel powerless at your job or like you’re losing control of your personal life, you’re more likely to experience a dream where you’re falling. If the falling is accidental — such as tripping off a cliff — then that may relate to a lack of stability and security.

Flying

Flying is one of the more liberating and awe-inspiring recurring dreams we experience. If you’ve recently overcome a major obstacle, that feeling of freedom and independence may present as a dream where you’re soaring through the sky. Flying dreams may also signify that you want to escape a stressful situation and start a new anxiety-free life.

Losing a Loved One

Dreaming about losing a loved one doesn’t necessarily mean that person is gone forever. Instead, it may signify changes in your relationship. As we grow older, our relationships change — while these changes aren’t inherently good or bad, we may feel like we’ve lost the people we once knew.

Mortality

Dreaming about mortality signifies dealing with a sense of finality in your life. This could be the end of a relationship, losing a job, or any other significant life changes — anything that comes to an end may profoundly impact your subconscious and dreams.

Teeth Falling Out

Around 39% of people dream about their teeth falling out — a shockingly high amount. This strange dream doesn’t necessarily relate to any dental issue and instead indicates a sense of helplessness and loss. Psychologist Sigmund Freud also theorized that thinking about teeth falling out has a direct correlation to our subconscious fears about intimacy and sexuality.

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