Whether you’re fond of the water or someone who doesn’t like to be anywhere close to a lake or ocean, you may have dreams about being underwater once in a while. Of course, if you like the water in real life, it’s more likely you’ll have positive dreams, and if the water is your enemy then water-related dreams are more like nightmares.
But regardless of how you feel, dreaming about the water is significant for a variety of reasons, and in this article, we analyze dream meaning to better understand why humans dream about breathing underwater. There’s a lot to cover, so let’s get started.
What Does It Mean if You Dream About Breathing Underwater?
Having a dream where you can breathe underwater may say a lot about who you are as a person. This dream may be your subconscious trying to tell you something, and perhaps it’s a reflection of the fact that you feel one or more of the following feelings:
1. Resilient
Dreaming that you can breathe underwater may indicate that you are feeling resilient. Of course, humans are naturally prevented from being able to do this for a long period of time, so being able to do something you can’t do in waking life may mean that it’s easy for you to persevere
If you’re having this dream amidst a lot of problems coming at you quickly, this could be a good sign that you’re going to overcome, so don’t even think about a retreat.
2. Curious
This type of dream could trigger feelings of curiosity. Think of the scuba diver who goes underwater to explore the uncertainty of a coral reef.
The oceans are still largely uncharted, so if you have a dream that you are amongst the marine life, whether you’re human or a fish of some kind, this may be a sign that you long to do some exploring.
3. Fearless
Being immersed in the thickness of the surrounding water is often enough to make individuals experience feeling of panic. Therefore, if you are dreaming about being able to exist underwater without issue, this could mean you’re fearless.
The ocean may look tranquil on its surface, but below it can be as wild as a dense Amazon jungle or an African savanna. Therefore to survive underwater, you would have to be a certain level of fearless while possessing a level head. Moreover, if you remain cool in uncertain situations, such could be why you’re having this dream.
4. Calm
You could have a breathing underwater dream where you’re immersed in still water, and such a dream could indicate you’re free of distress and negative thoughts. Additionally, you may be having this dream because you feel like you’ve reached equilibrium, and therefore such a dream could be joyful throughout.
5. Overwhelmed
Sadly, not every dream associated with being underwater can be linked to good events later on. For example, if you have this dream and you don’t like being underwater, this could be a sign that you are feeling overwhelmed and perhaps are a day or so away from a mini-crisis.
You may be able to breathe, but it could be that your breathing is only temporary, in which case you’ll be desperately trying to get back to the surface. Such a dream may result in you waking up suddenly.
6. Trapped
Being able to breathe underwater in a dream could also be a sign that you are feeling trapped. This feeling could be related to any sphere of life. For example, you could be feeling trapped in a dead-end job, and you’re underwater because you can’t seem to find a way out.
You could also be having similar issues in your family life. If you consistently have negative dreams related to being underwater, you should consider speaking with a mental health professional to see whether you have free-floating anxiety or unreleased tension.
What Does It Mean if Breathing Is the Focus of a Dream?
Breathing is a behavior we take for granted in real life, and it’s also something we take for granted in dreams. But when breathing is the focus of a dream, this could indicate a variety of things.
For example, this could mean that you have to plan a big get-together and you’re worried about doing so. And for the ladies, focusing on breathing in a dream may mean that you and your partner need space to develop individually.
You could also have this dream because you are overworked, or you may feel that you’re rushing through things, especially important conversations. If you’re breathing heavily and quickly, this could be a sign that you’re ashamed and guilty.
Breathing dreams may also indicate you’re wrongly giving preferential treatment without caring for the negative consequences.
What Does It Mean if Your Dream Takes Place Underwater?
A dream taking place underwater is also significant. This kind of dream may indicate that it’s time for you to do some necessary healing. It could also be a sign that you have too many walls up and you need to be more open to new connections.
If you’re in a tough financial situation, you may think of being underwater, as this is the term used for people who have a lot of mortgage or credit card debt. And if water generally is one of your fears, this could indicate that you are feeling uneasy because of an unforeseen situation.
Where the Dream Takes Place Is Significant
Being underwater in a dream can put you in a variety of locations, and where you’re underwater is significant.
1. Beach
Being underwater at the beach could be a pleasant dream or the opposite. Perhaps you’re at a tropical beach where the water is clear and refreshing. Or perhaps you’re struggling or even drowning in the water yet still able to hear the happy sounds of people frolicking in the ocean nearby.
2. Lake
Being underwater in a tranquil lake could also be both pleasant and unsettling. In the latter case, you may be struggling when there’s nobody around to hear you, as lakes are more secluded than other bodies of water.
And on the pleasant side, you could be enjoying the peacefulness of the still water much like a baby enjoys the comforts of the womb.
You could also see a lake monster in this kind of dream, and some say such a sighting is representative of a suppressed feeling. On the other hand, if you dream that you are the lake monster, this could mean you are striving to achieve in the face of common life problems.
3. Pool
Being underwater in a pool in a dream could mean you are longing for relaxation and needing to strengthen your intuition. This could also indicate that you are in need of help, especially if you’re drowning in the deep end. You may also dream about being in an Olympic pool if you’re a swimmer.
4. Flood
Being underwater in a flood is one of the more unpleasant dreams. Perhaps you’re trapped in a building that’s flooding or maybe you’ve been swept away in a tsunami or flash flood. In any case, this kind of dream is likely brought on by anxiety, other negative emotions, or a significant kind of change.
What Does This Kind of Dream Mean for Men, Women, and Children?
Having this kind of dream means different things if you are a man, woman, or child. For men, the breathing underwater dream is usually associated with ambitions and aspirations, so many men would put it in the “good dream” category.
A woman being underwater, on the other hand, has a lot to do with childbirth and nurturing. And if a child is having this dream, it could mean they are curious.
What’s Encountered While Underwater Is Significant
While you’re underwater, you may encounter a variety of things in your surroundings, and what you encounter is significant. For example, if you encounter some kind of monster while underwater, this could be a sign that you are repressing emotions and looking for an outlet.
Do Dreams About Being Underwater Mean You’re Afraid of Commitment?
A dream of being underwater could indicate that you are avoiding commitment. Perhaps you are in a relationship that you don’t want to take to the next level. It could also be that you don’t want to get out of your comfort zone at work.
Even though the water is liberating for aquatic creatures, being submerged in it is an inhibition for humans, as we naturally can’t survive under it. Therefore, if you feel like you can’t stay put in an environment, this may be why you’re having a drowning dream.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve made it this far, then the next time you have a dream where you can breathe underwater, you can wake up with a correct interpretation of this dream plot. Generally, how the dream will be (good or bad) largely depends on your relationship with water, the situation you’re going through in life at the moment, and a range of other factors.
