What it means when you dream that you get fired

Almost every night it happens: I dream that my relationship is ending, that I am back in school and have to take exams for which I haven't studied, or that I have lost my job. And every night I ask myself the same question: can it never be pleasant? A tête-à-tête with Harry Styles, for example, or winning a mega prize in the lottery. Unfortunately, my mind is too busy shoving in my face the things I secretly worry about, including losing my job. It turns out to be a common dream, as there has even been research into why we dream about this, and that research showed that these dreams have nothing to do with the amount of stress you experience at work.

Dreams about work are so common because work often takes up a significant part of our waking hours. Dreaming about being fired can symbolize a feeling of uncertainty or the fear of losing control over a certain aspect of your life, but it doesn't necessarily have to relate to your job. If you dream that you are being fired, it does not automatically mean that it will happen. To find out where these dreams come from and what part of your life they relate to, experts suggest reflecting on your emotions as soon as you wake up from such dreams and considering what the dream might be trying to tell you.

There are a few ways to calm your brain if you often have such dreams. Experts advise doing breathing exercises, meditating, or engaging in physical activity to release pent-up energy. You can also write down your thoughts and worries in a journal or read a book to distract your mind from work or other stressful matters in your life. Also, ensure a clear boundary between work and personal life and try not to engage with work before going to sleep. The last thing you want during a period of panicky work dreams is to see a full inbox before you turn off the light.