Does anybody know about the connection between very active dreaming and waking up tired or feeling tired?

I've noticed and my girlfriend has mentioned lately feeling tired and dreaming too much. Is there anything one can do about this? Like pre-sleep calming exercises, techniques to not dream so much or maybe to feel more rested upon waking. She always mentions meditation as a possible solution, but if I do that kind of thing before sleeping, laying on my back and breathing in a relaxed manner I sometimes fall asleep directly into a dream.

Any suggestions?