What Dreams About Drowning Mean

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Decode dreams about surviving a drowning & more

Co-authored by Devin McSween Reviewed by Layne Dalfen

Last Updated: July 20, 2025 Fact Checked

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• What do dreams about drowning mean?
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• Drowning Dream Scenarios
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• Other Common Drowning Dream Meanings
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• Dealing with Drowning Dreams
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• Tips

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Drowning in a dream can definitely leave you feeling shaken when you wake up. These dreams are very common and might represent emotions and situations you’re experiencing in your real life, like stress, overwhelming feelings, and transformation. Read on to learn what dreams about drowning mean, what specific dreams can symbolize, and how to resolve recurring dreams.

What does it mean when you dream about drowning?

Dream interpreter Layne Dalfen says dreaming about drowning can represent something you’re struggling with in real life, which may be making you feel stressed. Drowning dreams can also reflect overwhelming emotions you’re feeling in real life, like anger or sadness. They can also mean that you feel powerless.

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Section 1 of 4:

What do dreams about drowning mean?

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1. 
   Drowning dreams can represent overwhelming stress and emotions. Getting pulled underwater might symbolize situations and emotions that are leaving you struggling to stay afloat in real life. These dreams can mean:

   • You feel stressed and anxious.
   • You’re dealing with overwhelming emotions.
   • You feel out of control or powerless.
   • You’re repressing your emotions.
   • You’re dealing with unresolved trauma.
   • You’re going through a rebirth or transformation.
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Section 2 of 4:

Drowning Dream Scenarios

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1. 
   Saving someone or something from drowning. Rescuing a friend, partner, coworker, or pet from drowning might represent something you want to save. This can be a sign that the thing you want to save isn’t taking priority right now.
   
   For instance, a dream about rescuing your partner can mean other responsibilities are getting in the way of your relationship time.
   
   Take this dream as a sign to sort out your life and reflect on your priorities. Create an agenda each day to fit in the things that are important to you.
   
   Watching someone drown. Standing by while someone drowns can symbolize people and situations that are out of your control. This might be stressing you out, so take this dream as a sign to solve the issue and practice self-care.
   
   Getting saved from drowning. Someone helping you out of the water at the last second might be a reminder to ask people for help. Instead of drowning in job or relationship stress, go to your friends and family for their guidance and support.
   
   Drowning but surviving. While this dream can feel scary, it’s considered a positive omen of resilience. Holding your own in the water might mirror your ability to overcome challenges in your personal and professional life.
   
   When a challenge is on the horizon, build up your self-confidence to face it head on. List out your best qualities and take pride in your accomplishments.
   
   Drowning in a car. In the world of dreams, cars are thought to represent your direction in life. So, losing control of the vehicle and crashing into the water might indicate that your life isn’t going to plan or you’re not achieving your goals.
   
   Interpret this dream as a sign to set more realistic goals and get your life on track. Separate a big goal into smaller tasks and set a deadline for each one.
   
   Drowning in a hurricane, tsunami, or flood. Getting washed away by a natural disaster can symbolize fear of the unknown. A change might be looming in the future which is leaving you feeling anxious.
   
   This dream might be a sign to accept change. Recognize that it’s an inevitable part of life that helps you grow.
   
   Drowning in blood. Dreaming of struggling to tread water in blood might represent physical and emotional wounds. This can mean you’re healing, but you’re still dealing with some pain.
   
   Whether the wound is mental or physical, take this as a sign to deal with your hurt. You might prioritize relaxation or confront someone about how you feel.

Section 3 of 4:

Other Common Drowning Dream Meanings

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1. 
   Stress. Dreams are believed to help you process memories and emotions from your daily life. So, the panic you feel about drowning in your dream might point to stressors at work, home, or in your relationships.
   
   If you’re feeling overwhelmed, this dream might be a sign to relieve your stress. Calm down your body by exercising, meditating, or doing something you love.
   
   Overwhelming emotions. Water can represent emotions in your dreams. If the water overtakes you and you’re struggling to breathe, this might symbolize fear, anger, guilt, or sadness that is overpowering you in real life.
   
   Take this dream as a sign to deal with your emotions. Name the emotion you feel and then ground yourself by breathing deeply.
   
   Lack of control. Getting trapped under water can reflect situations in your personal or professional life that make you feel powerless. For instance, you might feel unable to meet deadlines at work or patch up a fight with a friend.
   
   Interpret this dream as a sign to face the problems that are overwhelming you. Just break the issue down into smaller problems so it feels easier to solve.
   
   Repressed emotions. Getting pulled down into the water might mirror hidden feelings that are resurfacing in your real life. Your subconscious might be telling you to deal with your emotions instead of pushing them away.
   
   Take this dream as a sign to express your feelings. Talking to friends or journaling your thoughts can help you process your emotions and feel lighter.
   
   Unresolved trauma. If you’re having recurring drowning dreams, this might be a way for your subconscious to process a traumatic experience. Whether this is related to a near-drowning or something else, take this as a sign to meet with a therapist who can help you overcome your trauma.
   
   If you’re not comfortable talking to a therapist, talk to people who you trust, like your friends, family, or religious leader. Or, join a support group.
   
   To cope with your trauma, practice mindfulness, hang out with friends, get 8 hours of rest, and exercise.
   
   Rebirth. Feeling at peace as you drown can be a positive sign of change. This might mean that you’re ready to let go of things that are holding you back and start a new chapter of life.
   
   For instance, you might quit an unfulfilling job, end a toxic relationship, or get rid of negative thoughts.
   
   This dream can also be a sign to get out of your comfort zone and change your life for the better. Water is related to spiritual cleansing, so this dream is believed to signify spiritual growth, too.
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Section 4 of 4:

Dealing with Drowning Dreams

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1. 
   Relieve stress and work through emotions to resolve these dreams. Recurring drowning dreams might be related to anxiety or trauma you’re experiencing. If you’re losing sleep, take steps to deal with these issues: talk to a therapist or trusted friend, express yourself, and prioritize your health.

   • Interpreting your dreams can also help you identify related issues, work on the problem, and stop the dreams.
   • When you wake up, write down how you felt, what you were doing, and who you were with. Then, search for a link between your dream and what’s going on in your life.

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Tips

• Drowning in clear water can indicate that clarity is either coming soon, or that you already know the answers or have solutions to your challenges. Murky, cloudy, or brown water can indicate confusion, frustration, and a desire for clarity.
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