{"id":8494,"date":"2022-07-20T08:00:28","date_gmt":"2022-07-20T07:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/psychictoday.com\/blog\/?p=8494"},"modified":"2022-08-19T23:26:13","modified_gmt":"2022-08-19T22:26:13","slug":"a-look-at-lucid-dreaming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/psychictoday.com\/blog\/2022\/07\/20\/a-look-at-lucid-dreaming\/","title":{"rendered":"A Look at Lucid Dreaming – with Heather"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Look at Lucid Dreaming – with Heather<\/h1>\n

Lucid Dreaming is the ability to be aware<\/a><\/strong> that you are dreaming<\/strong> while you are dreaming. Realising that you are in a dream allows you to control<\/strong> or change<\/strong> things that are happening during the dream.<\/p>\n

It can be very vivid<\/strong> and immersive<\/strong>. When you experience a lucid dream state<\/strong>, it is unlike any meditation<\/strong><\/a> or visualisation as you feel immersed in the environment of the dream.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Did You Know?<\/h2>\n

On average, your dreams last 2-3 seconds<\/strong>, and you can experience up to 17 dreams per night<\/strong> (even if you don’t remember them)? The first stage of Lucid Dreaming is about preparation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

You need to train your brain<\/strong> for the experience. So, be patient with yourself and try not to be disheartened if you don’t manage it the first few times. Try keeping a Journal or Diary.<\/p>\n

This is helpful as it helps your conscious mind identify what is a dream <\/strong>vs your waking life<\/strong>. Make sure that you are well rested. If you are sleep-deprived, it can be difficult to remember your dreams.<\/p>\n

So it’s important<\/strong> that you have been sleeping well<\/strong> for a few days prior to attempting a Lucid Dream.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Dream Journal<\/h2>\n

If you are keeping a Dream Journal<\/strong>, you might notice that you are not only dreaming nightly, but as a result of regularly dreaming, your mind begins to be aware that you are dreaming quite naturally.<\/p>\n

Pay attention<\/strong> to your sleeping position. You may notice that sleeping on your back, right side, left side, front or however, produces more, fewer, or even no dreams.<\/p>\n

You may move around a lot during sleep, so the position you fall asleep in may not be the one you wake up in.\u00a0 You may also want to note your position<\/strong> when you wake up during a dream.<\/p>\n

All of these things will help you in your pursuit of Lucid Dreaming.<\/p>\n

Meditation<\/h2>\n

Try not to meditate<\/strong> for too long before going to sleep. It’s fine to meditate for 5-10 minutes just to relax before sleep, but if you meditate too deeply, you may not dream at all.<\/p>\n

The reason is that meditation will do the brain’s job during your sleep cycle<\/strong>. This is my personal observation, which I have noticed from my own experiences of keeping a Dream Journal and meditating before sleeping.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Entering a Lucid Dream<\/h2>\n

This is my top tip<\/strong> for entering a Lucid Dream. Set the alarm to wake up during the night.\u00a0 Preferably halfway<\/strong> through your normal sleep pattern.<\/p>\n

If you sleep for 7 – 8 hours on average per night, then you’ll want to aim to wake up 3.5 – 4 hours into your sleep cycle. When you go back to sleep, you’ll find you’re not only<\/strong> dreaming but that you are<\/strong> Lucid Dreaming.<\/p>\n

If you don’t fancy setting the alarm, try drinking some water<\/strong><\/a> before going to sleep, it’ll help you wake up at night. And there you have it<\/strong>. My top tips for Lucid Dreaming!<\/p>\n

Let us know how you get on<\/strong> and what you get up to in your dream. Did you give yourself the ability to fly?<\/strong> Go on the holiday of your dreams<\/strong> or meet your favourite celebrity?<\/strong><\/p>\n