New research suggests sleeping on it may aid problem-solving

Recent studies on dreaming suggest that the advice to “sleep on it” may have a scientific basis. Researchers say the brain can continue working on a problem during sleep, and that dreams may reflect, reorganize, or help process experiences from the day. One study from Valentina Elce at the University of Freiburg examined the sleep and dream patterns of more than 3,000 people over several years. It found that daytime activities often show up in dreams in symbolic or metaphorical forms, and that people who pay more attention to their dreams tend to report them as more vivid and complex. A separate study led by Karen Konkoly looked at whether dreams can support creative problemsolving. Working with lucid dreamers, the researchers found that participants were more likely to solve puzzles if those puzzles appeared in their dreams, although the solutions usually came after waking. The findings also suggest that sounds or activities before bed can influence dream content.