Londoners make more than 23,000 nightmare-related searches every month

Londoners are making thousands of searches about nightmares, bad dreams and night terrors every month, new Halloween research has revealed.

Sleep experts at Ableworld analysed average monthly searches for “nightmares”, “bad dreams”, “night terrors” and 954 related keywords across the country.

The research found that people in London make an average of 23,640 nightmare-related searches each month.

That is equivalent to 21.7 searches for every 10,000 people in the capital.

Most Common Nightmare Themes and Halloween Fears

And with Halloween approaching, further Ableworld search analysis has revealed the creepy creatures and everyday anxieties most likely to haunt people after dark.

Spiders were the most commonly searched-for nightmare subject, followed by snakes, being chased, work and teeth falling out.

Zombies ranked sixth, followed by death, ghosts and, perhaps most terrifyingly of all, exes.

The ranking was produced by analysing the most common terms searched after the phrase “nightmares about”.

Connie Downie from Ableworld, who conducted the research, said: “Nightmares can feel incredibly real and upsetting, and the fear does not always disappear the moment somebody wakes up. A particularly distressing dream can leave people feeling shaken, anxious or reluctant to go back to sleep.

“Although talking about nightmares can feel quite light-hearted around Halloween, disrupted sleep can be exhausting for the person experiencing it. It is important not to dismiss somebody’s feelings simply because what frightened them happened in a dream.

“Our research shows that people across the country are searching for answers about nightmares, bad dreams and night terrors. While a single nightmare is usually nothing to panic about, improving your bedtime routine and addressing sources of stress may help create the right conditions for a calmer night.”

Expert Advice on Reducing Disturbed Sleep and Bad Dreams

1. Give yourself time to wind down

   Connie Downie said: “Going straight from work, scrolling or watching something intense to trying to sleep can make it difficult to switch off. Give yourself a buffer before bed and choose something calming, such as reading, listening to gentle music or following a simple relaxation routine.”

2. Keep frightening content out of the bedroom

   She said: “Halloween is made for horror films, ghost stories and scary games, but watching something terrifying immediately before bed may not be the best choice if you are already prone to vivid dreams. Leave yourself time to watch or do something lighter before trying to sleep.”

3. Stick to a regular sleep routine

   Connie Downie explained: “Try to go to bed and wake up at roughly the same time each day. A consistent routine helps your body recognise when it is time to wind down and can make bedtime feel less unsettled.”

4. Create a comfortable sleep environment

   She added: "A bedroom that is dark, quiet and at a comfortable temperature is generally more conducive to sleep. Make sure your mattress, pillows and bedding are comfortable, this could be done through adjustable beds, V-shaped pillows, or mattress tilters, and that unnecessary light or noise is kept to a minimum.”

5. Be careful with caffeine and alcohol

   Connie Downie said: “Coffee, energy drinks and other caffeinated products later in the day can make it harder to settle. Alcohol may make some people feel sleepy initially, but it can also contribute to a more disrupted night.”

6. Put worries down on paper

   She advised: “If your mind is racing, try writing down anything you are worried about, along with the tasks you need to remember tomorrow. It will not solve everything immediately, but it can help stop those thoughts continually circling as you try to sleep.”

7. Speak to somebody if nightmares persist

   Connie Downie added: “If nightmares are frequent, particularly distressing or are affecting somebody’s ability to sleep and function during the day, they should consider speaking to an appropriate healthcare professional for advice.”