How to Lucid Dream
If you’ve heard of lucid dreaming, you may be aware of some of the many benefits it has, from psychological health to overall health. Many people believe lucid dreaming cannot be accomplished intentionally, yet there are actually many techniques that one can utilize to lucid dream.
What is Lucid Dreaming?
Before you can start lucid dreaming to improve your health both psychologically and psychically, you need to know exactly what it is first. A lucid dream is when one realizes they are dreaming while doing so. Lucid dreaming can range from quite faint recognition to an epiphanous moment of awareness.
Often times, dreams don’t start out as lucid dreams. These types of dreams typically occur when one is experiencing a normal dream and suddenly, for whatever reason, becomes aware that they are dreaming. Once one realizes they are dreaming, they gain the power to control their dreams.
What are the Benefits of Lucid Dreaming?
The main advantage, at least health-wise, of lucid dreaming is better and more restful sleep. People who practice lucid dreaming tend to report having more restful sleep than before. Lucid dreamers often find that restful sleep is achieved by bringing more dreams as well awareness to their dreams. By maintaining one’s consciousness while relaxing, one achieves true relaxation.
Another advantage of lucid dreaming is that it improves one’s memory. Dreams are necessary to solidify episodic memory, which is basically the memory of your body or muscles. This type of memory is needed if one wishes to learn new skills and improve old ones. Lucid dreaming will help you reinforce everything you learn throughout the day.
How to Lucid Dream`
Now that you know what lucid dreaming is as well as some of its many benefits, you can follow the steps required to begin lucid dreaming. For most people, the first lucid dream is the most difficult to achieve, but it’s definitely not impossible if one follows these steps.
The very first thing you should do is start keeping a dream journal. This is one of the most important, if not the most important, steps towards lucid dreaming. Keep the journal right next to your bed and try to record at least one dream everyday as soon as you wake up. Keeping a record of your dreams will help you recognize elements that are common to your dreams.
Conduct at least 10 reality checks throughout your waking day. Every once in a while, ask yourself, “Am I dreaming?” If you do reality checks enough throughout the day, you will eventually begin to automatically do it while dreaming. Also, try to do reality checks whenever something out of the ordinary, frustrating, or nonsensical occurs.
Use a permanent marker to make an “A” (which stands for awake) onto your palm. Each time you happen to notice the “A” on your palm during waking hours, ask yourself if you’re truly awake.
One way to check if you’re dreaming is by checking the clock. If the time changes dramatically at the second glance, you’re dreaming. Another tactic includes looking at a body of text, looking away, and then glancing at it again to see if it remained the same. Eventually, this habit will find its way into your dreams.
Try using the counting method to lucid dreaming. While you’re in bed trying to fall asleep, start counting, starting with, “One, I am dreaming.” Eventually, you will reach a number where you really are dreaming.
Lucid dreaming tends to have a steep learning curve for most people. However, if you utilize the steps and tips listed above, the steep learning curve will turn into a more gentle slope.
