Most people arent able to remember the fantastical details that unfurl in the subconscious once theyre awake.
Yet some individuals can develop the rare skill of lucid dreamingwhere one is conscious of their own thinking processes.
You may even have the ability to control what’s happening in the dream.
Verywell / Zoe Hansen
A Brief History of Lucid Dreaming
People have been aware that lucid dreaming occurs since ancient times.
Researchers began studying lucid dreaming extensively in the 1970s and it was discovered that lucid dreaming occurs duringREM sleep.
And it’s most likely that lucid dreaming will occur during REM sleep later in the night.
How Much Sleep Do it’s crucial that you Have a Lucid Dream?
Many research studies show that REM sleep aids emotional processing during your waking life.
How Do You Trigger Lucid Dreams?
There are a number of ways to trigger lucid dreaming and this involves mental training.
To determine the most effective approach for you, it may be necessary to try out different methods.
Below are several tools you’ve got the option to experiment with.
By cultivating awareness, it aids with metacognitive ability which stimulates the prefrontal brain region.
This helps with the development of critical awareness to better distinguish between wakefulness and the dream state.
So, the following are meant to be done during the dayandduring the dream.
Why Does This Help?
This practice reinforces your intention to remember dreams, capture vivid details, and identify recurring themes or symbols.
For the last step, remind yourself of youraffirmationsand visualizations that you will remember you are dreaming.
What Is the Wake-Back-to-Bed Method?
This is when your REM sleep is deepest meaning your dreams last longer at this stage.
Lucid dreams are obtained more easily after several hours of sleep as well.
She also notes the power of suggestion is strong.
Meditation and Dream Awareness
This might be one of the most important techniques of all.
Before it’s possible for you to conquer the dream, its important to remember the dream.
If you want to lucid dream, you oughta become a high dream recaller first, Mary says.
As she puts it, simple dream recall takes practice, repetition, dedication, and concentration.
All of these attributes can be strengthened by regular meditation practice.
Using regular meditation techniquesenhances self-awareness, concentration, and the ability to recognize dream signs and triggers.
Starting a mindfulness practice heightens awareness of your breathing, physical sensations, and environment.
By being mindfully present and in the now, the practice improves cognitive skills such as attention and metacognition.
A recent study in 2022 reported practicing mindfulness during waking hours is positively related to lucidity in dreams.
Meditation is a crucial practice for quieting the busy mind.
When the noise turns down, you allow for our inner knowing to emerge.
You also are able to listen better to the very subtle messages from yoursubconscious, Mary says.
Herbs
Herbs can help with lucid dreaming.
Exploring and Enjoying Lucid Dreaming
Lucid dreaming can be a magical experience to explore the subconscious.
Overcoming obstacles in your subconscious can be a powerful tool in your waking life as well.
Learning the techniques of lucid dreaming can have a profound effect on your personal waking life.
Self-care practices are key for prevention.
There are many proven benefits in cultivating your awareness and learning how to engage with your mind intentionally.
Why not make use of an activity that takes up one-third of our lives?
As you lucid dream, you might learn how to explore your subconscious and develop new skills.
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