Lucid dreams are dreams in which the person is aware they are in a dream. Some people also have control over the actions in their dreams, as they are dreaming lucidly. The latter is not very popular, but possible to achieve. Normal dreams occur during every phase of the sleep cycle, mostly during the REM (rapid eye movement) stage. However, lucid dreams only occur during REM sleep. Lucid dreams are used by therapists to reduce anxiety and overcome nightmares. Moreover, dreaming lucidly is known to improve the motor skills and creativity of the people who experience it.
How to Lucid Dream Fast
If you are a beginner and want to learn how to lucid dream easily and fast, there are numerous ways to achieve this. You should note, though, that not every method is beneficial for every person. Try the methods and find the best one that suits you. You should also know that achieving lucid dreams takes time and practice. You need to be patient and persistent. Here are some of the most popular and successful techniques to lucid dream:
Get More REM Sleep
Since lucid dreams occur during the REM stage of sleep, the first thing you need to do to increase your chances of lucid dreaming is to have quality REM sleep. Without an adequate amount of sleep, you will not be able to dream lucidly if you have not experienced it before. Here are some habits for you to increase the amount of REM sleep you get:
- Follow a sleep routine.
- Make sure the environment you sleep in is not distracting or loud.
- Try to exercise regularly.
- Avoid any electronics before bed.
- Do not consume alcohol, caffeine, or greasy food before bed.
Reality Testing
Reality testing, or reality checking, is another popular way of dreaming lucidly. Reality checking simply is reminding yourself whether you are in a dream or not. By doing this, you increase your level of awareness and metacognition, hence, the chances of exoeriencing lucid dreams. Some of the examples of reality checks are:
- Looking at mirrors and reminding yourself you are not in a dream. This is because in dreams, our reflections are usually distorted. By checking your reflection, you become aware that you are not dreaming.
- Try to push your hands through solid objects. In dreams, we are able to do things that are not physically possible. By confirming this, throughout the day, you become more conscious that you are awake.
These simple checks of reality help you to recognize the signs in dreams as you sleep, which allow you to achieve lucid dreams.
Mnemonic Induction of Lucid Dreams (MILD)
The MILD method involves the intention factor. With the intention to remember to achieve something, your brain conditions itself to that reality. If this intention is about something your brain has control over, then it will automatically make it real. So, when you intend to lucid dream and repeat to yourself that you will be aware of the fact that you are dreaming next time you sleep, your brain enables this.
Keeping a Dream Journal
Dream journals are easy and popular techniques to dream lucidly. Recording your dreams with as many details as possible and identifying the dream signs you have witnessed increases your metacognition. Eventually, the chances of you experiencing lucid dreams increase greatly.
Some people prefer keeping a pencil and a notebook under their pillow or beside their beds to write down their dreams immediately. However, if you do not prefer using pens, you could also use some apps, such as the dreambook app, to save your dreams and analyze them thoroughly. By checking your recorded dreams, you will also become more aware of your dreaming patterns and dream signs, which will improve your lucid dreaming skills.
