problem solving while dreaming ??

so here's thing ......

-whenever i'm stuck on a an engineering/math problem while studying for an exam or something ... i kind of wake up the next day; try solving the problem again and it just works right away ...
-i'll usually be working on the problem for a long time (like 5hrs of intense thinking/problem solving) and not figuring out the solution ...
-and sometimes (but rarely) i do recall having dreams about me working the same problem out ...

so here's my question:

1) could it be that dreams are the reason behind succeeding in solving the problem right the next morning .... or is it just that i got some rest and woke up the next morning with a fresh start ?
2) has anybody experienced something similar ?


thanks in advance,

wa'el

It sounds like you just rested your brain. I have read about studies that show an increase in aleartness and abiltiy to solve problems quicker in people who have gotten a good nights sleep compared to those who were fatigued.

On the other hand I have read about a chemestry teacher who used to work out complex problems through lucid dreaming. She would become lucid, and write it down in her dream. If she began to lose lucidity she would spin, and then have to re-work the problem. You could probably try to do something like this, through lucidicy.

Good luck =)

I don't know why, but I hear it all the time. If you have an issue, sleep on it, and it always gets better in the morning. Also personally when I have a bad day or I need to sort something else, my dream will reflect that (ie similar problems, fears and situations).

Fun to think about. :P

in sleep your subconcious mind practices skills such as hand i coordination and activities concentrated daily, it seems while you were asleep your mind found a solution. without this subconcious programming you would probably have a much harder time with difficult tasks on a daily basis, your subconcious mind is always visualizing important tasks for the next day before you do it, this explains why sleeping immediateley after studying can be easier for some.

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Originally Posted by GestaltAlteration

I don't know why, but I hear it all the time. If you have an issue, sleep on it, and it always gets better in the morning. Also personally when I have a bad day or I need to sort something else, my dream will reflect that (ie similar problems, fears and situations).

Fun to think about. :P

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you're right ... but that normally applies for social problems/issues ..... but when it comes to a math problem; i'm not sure if this thing is interpreted the same way .... could be though ...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by silicovolcaniosis

in sleep your subconcious mind practices skills such as hand i coordination and activities concentrated daily, it seems while you were asleep your mind found a solution. without this subconcious programming you would probably have a much harder time with difficult tasks on a daily basis, your subconcious mind is always visualizing important tasks for the next day before you do it, this explains why sleeping immediateley after studying can be easier for some.

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so that basically happens right after after you sleep, and has nothing to do with dreams, right ?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wa'el

so that basically happens right after after you sleep, and has nothing to do with dreams, right ?

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precisely ,it was scientifically tested that it happens in non rem sleep