Dreams About Work: Your Nightmares Decoded

It’s hard to stop thinking about your job, even when you’re asleep. Nine-to-fivers frequently dream they’re late for a meeting or an airplane departure. Starbucks baristas have been caught calling out orders for “grande skim lattes” from bed. One of my overworked friends says she’s started dreaming entirely in Gchat, the program she uses to communicate with her bosses. A good night’s rest is supposed to help you recover from daily stress, but how effective is that if you can’t leave work at work?

According to a study published this month in the journal Sleep, common nightmare themes vary by gender. Researchers at the Université de Montréal analyzed the dreams of 331 subjects and found men have more nightmares about insects, being chased and physically attacked, and natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes. Women’s nightmares more often hinge on interpersonal conflict, featuring feelings of humiliation and rejection.