Dreams are like bizarre-o TV episodes of your life that play in your head while you sleep at night. This is because when your body is resting your mind is still racing around trying to tell you something.

"Dreams are thoughts and feelings we have about our lives translated into pictures and stories while we sleep," explains Charles McPhee, founder and president of www.dreamdoctor.com. "They often use symbols to represent the feelings we're having." For instance, if you're totally psyched that your crush finally called, you might dream you're flying high above the Earth, laughing and having a great time. On the other hand, if you're worried that a super-tough teacher doesn't like you, you may dream of being chased by a bear or tiger—something that wants to attack you."

Even though you can't remember many of them, dreams help your memory. When parts of your life replay in your head, your brain rehearses behaviors and practices problem-solving skills. So, for example, if you dream that you're arguing with your parents over curfew, you're sharpening your debating skills (whoever said you can't work with your eyes closed!).

One way to make dreams work for you is to journal them! Keep a notebook next to your bed and jot down the dreams you remember. Reflect on them, but don't read too much into them. Your most important dreams will always be the ones you create while you're awake!