Revealed: The 13 most common dreams and what they REALLY mean - from being naked in public to snogging a celebrity

The 13 most common dreams experienced by Brits have been revealed – including some very unusual visions. 

A new survey, commissioned by Netflix, asked 2,000 Brits about their dreams. 

The results revealed that the number one dream gripping the nation is the terrible feeling of falling, experienced by more than half of us. 

Other frequent topics include snogging a celebrity, being naked in public, and being late for an important meeting. 

So, what does it mean when you experience these dreams? 

According to Delphi Ellis, author of Answers In The Dark: Grief, Sleep and How Dreams Can Help You Heal, your dreams may be trying to guide you. 

'Dreams are like a friend – they can softly nudge us in the direction of what we want, point us towards what might help us heal, or offer insight – even answers – into a problem that's occupying our mind. It's one reason we say, "sleep on it",' she said. 

'Like a friend, we can choose to acknowledge or ignore them, it's up to us what we do with the content of our dreams – but it's always worth listening to what a dream has to say.'

1. Falling

Falling is the most common dream, experienced by 53 per cent of Brits. 

According to Ms Ellis, this type of dream indicates you're feeling uncertain about something.  

'It happens if we're not sure where we're going or where we'll end up,' she explained.

'It's especially common after redundancy, retirement and other major life changes. The adventure awaits, but can be scary as we venture into the unknown.

'It's not to be confused with the "jolt" you might experience just as you're drifting off though, as this can (ironically) be caused by over tiredness or point to signs of stress, so a bedtime routine that promotes relaxation is important.'

2. Unable to run

Almost half (42 per cent) of us have had a dream where we're being pursued but are unable to run, according to the survey. 

This either reflects that you're not wanting to get caught, or are struggling to catch up, according to Ms Ellis. 

'The feeling of not being able to run can symbolise being “stuck” in a situation, that progress is too slow, or the fear that whatever it is will “catch up” with them,' she said. 

3. Your partner cheating on you

Twenty–two per cent of Brits say they've had a dream that their partner has cheated on them. 

Rather than saying anything about your partner, this reflects more on your own insecurities, Ms Ellis says. 

'Dreaming about infidelity often signals a fear that it could occur, rather than serving as a warning that it already has, particularly for those who have experienced betrayal in the past,' she advised.  

4. Someone dying

One of the most terrifying dreams you can have is that of someone dying – something that 21 per cent of us have experienced. 

Thankfully, death in a dream is rarely about someone actually dying, Ms Ellis reassures. 

Instead, she says it's more reflective of a change we're witnessing in someone. 

'This is common for parents who dream about their child – it really reflects the shift in relationship as they grow up and become more independent,' she said. 

'That said, dreams can also reflect our waking fears, so if a person is frightened someone will change – this might be why they dream of that person dying.'

5. Your teeth falling out

A dream about your teeth falling out – something 21 per cent of us have had – may symbolise concerns around wealth or status. 

'In the West we generally exchange our teeth for money when we are little,' Ms Ellis said. 

'In some cultures, dreaming of teeth as they literally are (as bone) may symbolize anxiety about losing someone significant.' 

6. Snogging a celebrity 

A fifth of us have had a dream about getting together with a celebrity, according to the survey.

'If we can relate to a particular celebrity's struggle, or if we see someone in the spotlight as a role model, or if we admire them – we may dream about them as if they are closer to us than they really are,' Ms Ellis said. 

7. Sitting an exam you haven't revised for

If you were a bit of a rebel at school, you probably sat a few exams that you hadn't revised for. 

And according to the survey, 19 per cent of us still dream about this today.  

'This points to feeling more generally unprepared, for example if a meeting or conversation is coming up, or has already happened, that you weren’t ready for, you may have the exam dream,' Ms Ellis said. 

'That said, exams usually happen at school, so they can also point to an echo of the stress – or period of learning – we were going through back then, harking back to past anxieties.' 

8. Flying

It's a superpower that many of us wish we had – and now the survey shows that 18 per cent of Brits even dream of flying. 

Ms Ellis explained: 'The meaning of this dream can depend on how the dreamer felt. If the dream is positive and they’re loving it – "flying high" may signify someone enjoying a period of success. 

'If the sensation in the dream is negative, you may be at a time in your life where you feel you should be more sensible and keep their feet firmly on the ground.' 

9. Family and friends being mean to you

Sixteen per cent of respondents said they have had a dream in which family or friends are being mean. 

According to the expert, this points to anxieties about feeling isolated. 

'If people are being mean, the dream may be a prompt to reconsider who we include in our circle,' she said. 

10. Being late

If being late is the subject of your dreams alongside 15 per cent of Brits, it may reflect your anxieties about being punctual in the real–world. 

'In today’s world, it’s natural to fear being late, so this may be a literal dream reflecting what we worry could happen,' Ms Ellis said. 

'That said, if someone feels like they're always missing out, especially on the important stuff, this may reflect their current frustration.'

11. Finding money

The survey found that 14 per cent of Brits dream about finding money. 

Ms Ellis said: 'If a person has money worries, it makes sense for them to have this dream; wealth is subjective though, so the money may also be a symbol for something else the dreamer feels might improve their life.'

12. Being unable to find the toilet

Being unable to find the toilet in your dream may simply indicate that you need to go to the loo in the real world. 

However, if you're in the 12 per cent of Brits who have this dream, it may signify that you're looking for more privacy, according to Ms Ellis. 

'This dream can signify you are in a time of your life where you lack privacy and searching for more private time, for example, being a new parent,' she said. 

'Though it can also reflect the need to get rid of something bad in your life, to flush it away – but not knowing where or how.'

13. Being naked in public

Finally, the survey found that 12 per cent of Brits have had a dream about being naked in public. 

'This is actually a common dream among TV presenters,' Ms Ellis explained.

'But to the general public, it may reflect the awareness of being “on show” or in the spotlight for some reason, whether you are the subject of gossip. 

'It might also be that we’ve talked about something that left us feeling vulnerable.'