10 Instant Tips to Overcome Nightmares

Last midnight, Chen Peng, a dream interpreter, was working on his manuscript when his QQ messenger suddenly started flashing insistently. A user messaged him, "Teacher Chen, Teacher Chen, I just had a nightmare, and it scared me to death! What should I do?" For Chen Peng, anyone consulting about their dreams is generally seeking solutions. Normally, he wouldn't accept consultations at such an hour, but the user's urgent request prompted him to take the case. Through a video call, he successfully helped the person resolve their issue.

Later, Chen Peng reflected that it would be beneficial to share simple methods to help people who have had nightmares address their sleep problems easily. He compiled these tips based on his 20 years of dream interpretation experience, hoping they would be helpful to anyone in need.

• Immediately take a broom from your home and lean it against the head of your bed. The older the broom, the more effective it is.
• If your pajamas have pockets, put a small handful of uncooked rice in one pocket—a dozen grains is enough.
• Place a kitchen knife or scissors on your bedside table, but only items that have been used will be effective. You can put them away the next day.
• If you possess any blessed items, make sure to keep them with you. If you have a blessed bracelet, you can hold it in your hand. Other protective items corresponding to your religious beliefs are also adequate; just wear them around your neck or hold them in your hand for a restful sleep. With these items, common nightmares can be easily managed.
• If you're sleeping next to your partner, simply hold each other while sleeping.
• Turn on a night light and set it to a dim glow. Many people use this method, but Chen Peng does not recommend it for long-term use, as turning off the light can eventually provoke nightmares, making it an unsustainable solution.
• Gently bite your tongue while closing your eyes to sleep. This position is believed to ward off evil spirits; the blood at the tip of the tongue is one of the body's three vital energies, and typically, evil spirits will not dare to disturb you when they see this stance.
• Get up and light a stick of sandalwood incense before returning to sleep, as sandalwood is known for its protective qualities. Make sure you are not using sandalwood-scented mosquito coils!
• Go sleep with other family members.
• Hold your shoes upside down in your hands while sleeping. This approach might soil your bedding, so placing a thin protective layer on your blanket beforehand is advisable.

Chen Peng reminds us that these are called emergency techniques because they are primarily for immediate relief. To permanently tackle nightmares, it is essential to address the root cause.