Reason why you dreamt about your ex last night

Many of us, myself included, have been having extremely vivid dreams as of late.

Now, we've already been given one possible reason behind the bizarre phenomenon, along with key advice on how to deal with it, but what on earth are you meant to do if one your exes has somehow slipped their way into your snoozing?

Luckily for us, sleep expert Martin Seeley at MattressNextDay has come through and given us the low-down on the science behind these vivid dreams, and why your former flame may be showing up in them all of a sudden.

There could be a reason why your ex-beau is creeping into your subconscious (Liudmila Chernetska/Getty)

Why are people having such vivid dreams now?

Over the past year, vivid dreams have been on the rise in the UK, Martin tells Tyla, and this could be for a number of reasons.

Stress and anxiety could play a huge part in it.

The expert explains: "Daily stressors influence your sleep cycle, especially during REM sleep, where most dreams occur. This can result in more intense dreams or nightmares."

Your diet can also impact what goes in your noggin' when you're sleeping, as eating late, especially sugary foods, can 'disrupt brain activity and metabolism, leading to more vivid dreams'.

Additionally, hormonal fluctuations can likewise play a part as changes in hormones like cortisol and melatonin can affect sleep depth and dream intensity.

Why did some people dream about their ex last night?

In case you weren't aware, it was National 'Text Your Ex' Day earlier this week (30 October) and, as we all know, 'cuffing season' is just around the corner.

Your dreams could be trying to tell you something (PeopleImages/Getty)

According to Martin, these are both 'recent triggers' which can bring past memories to the surface, impacting your dreams during REM sleep.

Dreaming of a past partner may also be a matter of 'unresolved feelings'.

"Dreams may reflect lingering emotions (love, anger, or regret) that your subconscious mind is processing. Addressing these feelings can bring clarity," Martin notes.

What does dreaming about your ex mean?

There are a number of things that dreaming about your ex can mean with 'moving on' thankfully being a major one.

Martin tells Tyla: "Sometimes, dreaming of an ex signifies personal progress.

"Your subconscious may be working through the relationship, indicating growth."

It could also be down to 'self-reflection' as dreams can symbolise 'a lost or rediscovered part of yourself' which can represent lessons learned or qualities reclaimed.

Should you be worried if you dreamt about your ex last night?

What has your subconscious been telling you? (Andrii Lysenko/Getty)

"Dreams are complex and often a way for your brain to process emotions and experiences, not necessarily a sign to act," Martin assures.

However, there a number of things that are important to remember - namely, that self-reflection is healthy.

If a dream stirs emotions, Martin advises taking a moment to reflect on why - journaling is a good shout as it can offer 'clarity and peace of mind'.

It's also important to focus on the present if a dream like this presents itself to you.

Martin suggested: "Ground yourself in reality, as dreams often stem from past memories. Don't let them distract from your current feelings.

"Use these dreams as a prompt to check in with yourself," Martin adds, noting that you should ask yourself is you're lonely or dissatisfied in your current relationships.

And, lastly, Martin tells us that dreaming about your ex can actually be a 'positive' thing, despite the initial shock.

"Viewing your dreams as a tool for emotional awareness can be a positive step," he concludes.

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