Gina Heslop
When someone you love passes away, it can be very hard to deal with the sadness and loss. Many people find comfort in different ways, and one common experience is having dreams about their deceased loved ones.
These dreams are often called “visitation dreams.” In these dreams, the person who has passed away may appear alive, healthy, and at peace.
According to Patrick McNamara, a professor at Boston University, these visitation dreams can play an important role in helping people cope with their grief.
They may provide a sense of comfort and help ease the pain of losing someone close. Studies support this idea, showing that these dreams can be meaningful and assist in the healing process.
For example, a study conducted in 2014 found that dreams of the deceased can create a feeling of connection with the loved one who has passed away. This connection can bring comfort to those who are grieving.
Another study in 2016 showed that 70% of people who experienced visitation dreams believed that these dreams were a sign of an afterlife. This belief can offer hope and a sense of peace to those who are struggling with loss.
Psychologist Jennifer E. Shorter has studied visitation dreams and identified four main characteristics of them. First, the deceased usually looks healthy or even younger than they were when they passed away.
This can help the dreamer remember their loved one in a positive way. Second, the deceased often gives reassurance, which can be comforting.
Third, the messages in these dreams are often felt more as a sense or feeling rather than heard as clear words.
Lastly, these dreams tend to be calm and peaceful, creating a harmonious atmosphere that can help with the grieving process.
If you have ever had a dream about a loved one who has passed away, you might have felt a sense of closeness and comfort.
These dreams can be a natural and helpful part of dealing with grief, offering a way to feel connected to those we miss and helping us find peace as we continue to heal.
