How to stop recurring nightmares

Recurring nightmares are common and treatable. The approach recommended by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine is imagery rehearsal: choose the nightmare, change it while awake in any way you like, and rehearse the new version for about ten minutes a day. Pair it with a calm evening routine, slow breathing, and a plan for the moment you wake at night. If your nightmares are linked to trauma, do this work with a professional too. When nightmares come with thoughts of harming yourself, please reach out to a crisis line now.

For the full, step-by-step version, read our guide How to stop nightmares.