Stress is part of life you just need to ride the wave for now. When my stress lowered I stopped getting sleep paralysis and hypagogic noises. I remember when this happened I thought I was losing my mind but after doing research it is more common than you think.

Pertaining to you dream the wearing masks and empty shopping center might be related to covid. You might be stressed out because of what is going on. It helps me to write down my feelings and fears so I am more consciously aware of it.