Dream Recall is bad again

[megabenman]

Well, for the past 2 weeks, I've mamanged to remember at least one dream a night (much higher than my usual 4 a month). For the past 3 days, I haven't remembered a single on, except for some very vauge fractions of a dream 2 nights ago and the night before.

What has happeneded to me? Do you have any suggestions?

(Remember, my mind needs to wander to fall asleep, so don't suggest anything that requires concentrating on the border of falling asleep).

[sloth]

You should concentrate on the border of falling asleep.
Just messin'.

Actually. I think you're fine. How do you wake up?
Alarm clocks can mess up your recall. So can opening your eyes and moving around.
I sleep with a wireless keyboard (great in bed) and with notepad open on my computer.
Once I wake, I lay with my eyes closed, typing out what I remember. Works out best for me that way.

-sloth

[pj]

I'm just coming out of nearly a month of terrible dream recall and precious few LDs.

For me, there were a couple fairly major disruptions to my life, followed by a tremendous amount of work. I just rode it out and kept trying. The dream recall has been returning the past few days.

My dream recall seems really dependant on a lot of factors - diet, timing, sleep length and quality and peace of mind all being prominent in there. The dreams were always there, as I could remember the feelings and tiny fragments. Opening that door to recall and keeping it open is sometimes such a subtle thing.

[megabenman]

Originally posted by sloth+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sloth)</div>You should concentrate on the border of falling asleep.
Just messin'.

Actually. I think you're fine. How do you wake up?
Alarm clocks can mess up your recall. So can opening your eyes and moving around.
I sleep with a wireless keyboard (great in bed) and with notepad open on my computer.
Once I wake, I lay with my eyes closed, typing out what I remember. Works out best for me that way.

-sloth[/b]
I don't use alarm clocks.... When I wake up, I'm usually totally lost as to whats going on. I always will open my eyes, but I won't move around much.
I've got an apple wireless keyboard that I use, but I don't want to have to leave my computer on all night. I have my dream journal, which is just a school like workbook next to my bed.

<!--QuoteBegin-pj
I'm just coming out of nearly a month of terrible dream recall and precious few LDs.

For me, there were a couple fairly major disruptions to my life, followed by a tremendous amount of work. *I just rode it out and kept trying. *The dream recall has been returning the past few days.

My dream recall seems really dependant on a lot of factors - diet, timing, sleep length and quality and peace of mind all being prominent in there. *The dreams were always there, as I could remember the feelings and tiny fragments. *Opening that door to recall and keeping it open is sometimes such a subtle thing.
Well I'm having exams, which might be the case, but I was still worried about them even when I started attempting better dream recall. Last night I remembered NOTHING. Not even a single fragment. It was like I didn't even sleep (which I did).

[megabenman]

I think I might have found my problem. Stress. I am a huge worry wart and I am almost worried about something, even if it doesn't concern me in the least bit. I would love to solve my stress problem. The reason why my dream recall is probably better during the weekend/while off school is probably because I am less stressed during those times.

Any suggestions for stress release?

[pj]

Originally posted by megabenman
Any suggestions for stress release?

I have a lot of suggestions. By resolving it in my life, (for the most part and barring the occasional hiccup or catastrophe,) I dropped my blood pressure 20 points and avoided having to go on medication. All the following are suggestions that have proved beneficial to me.

Learn to meditate. It doesn't have to be spiritual or religious meditation... but learn the basics of breath control and allowing yourself to "float" over your thoughts. There used to be a great PDF guide out there for free called "Happy To Burn". If you can't find something you like, PM me and I'll send you a copy of the guide I have.

Take up an art. Any art will do. The key is to allow yourself to be completely absorbed in the doing of something. Drawing, playing an instrument, writing poetry and the like all can take you completely out of yourself for periods of time.

If you don't have a pet, consider getting one. If you have a pet, spend time with it. I can take my BP, spend ten minutes scratching my dog's ears, and take it again... and see a dramatic difference. Every time.

Volunteer for something. Giving yourself to the needs of others is very effective in bringing balance and perspective to your own life.

Finally, carefully examine what you spend your time thinking about, then change the things that bring stress, anger and worry. Forgive those you are angry with. Release resentments. It is your head, man... and it is your choice. Choose to be happy and stress free, then do it. I KNOW it can be done. I come from an Italian Catholic heritage... a LOOOOONG line of terminal worriers and guilt-carriers. If I can break that cycle, anybody can.

I'm deadly serious about this last thing. Decide you can do it. Imagine your life free of stress and worry. Learn how your brain works and then change it.

I'd wish you good luck, but you don't need any luck. You have everything you need to do what needs to be done.

[wasup]

3 days? I wouldn't worry about it... if it has been like a month, then that's a different story. But I've had low and high times when dream journaling and stuff (you do dream journal right?). Just keep at it.

[megabenman]

Originally posted by pj
I have a lot of suggestions. By resolving it in my life, (for the most part and barring the occasional hiccup or catastrophe,) I dropped my blood pressure 20 points and avoided having to go on medication. All the following are suggestions that have proved beneficial to me.

Learn to meditate. It doesn't have to be spiritual or religious meditation... but learn the basics of breath control and allowing yourself to "float" over your thoughts. There used to be a great PDF guide out there for free called "Happy To Burn". If you can't find something you like, PM me and I'll send you a copy of the guide I have.

Take up an art. Any art will do. The key is to allow yourself to be completely absorbed in the doing of something. Drawing, playing an instrument, writing poetry and the like all can take you completely out of yourself for periods of time.

If you don't have a pet, consider getting one. If you have a pet, spend time with it. I can take my BP, spend ten minutes scratching my dog's ears, and take it again... and see a dramatic difference. Every time.

Volunteer for something. Giving yourself to the needs of others is very effective in bringing balance and perspective to your own life.

Finally, carefully examine what you spend your time thinking about, then change the things that bring stress, anger and worry. Forgive those you are angry with. Release resentments. It is your head, man... and it is your choice. Choose to be happy and stress free, then do it. I KNOW it can be done. I come from an Italian Catholic heritage... a LOOOOONG line of terminal worriers and guilt-carriers. If I can break that cycle, anybody can.

I'm deadly serious about this last thing. Decide you can do it. Imagine your life free of stress and worry. Learn how your brain works and then change it.

I'd wish you good luck, but you don't need any luck. You have everything you need to do what needs to be done.
1) Do you know any good meditating sites that you would reccomend, or should I try my luck on google?
2)I'll try sketching I guess.
3)I have a cut and cudly cat. She thinks she is a dog haha. I scratch her belly and ears all the time. She purrs loudly.
4)That would probably make me stressed about meeting new people or getting to the place on time.
5)Ok, I'll do that. But.... the only way I fall asleep is to have my mind wander. This happens almost unconciously, and when I snap out of my daze I will forget what I just thought about. What if I have thoughts that might cause stress then?
6)I CAN DO IT! I CAN DO IT! I KNOW I CAN! :D

Originally posted by ataraxis
3 days? I wouldn't worry about it... if it has been like a month, then that's a different story. But I've had low and high times when dream journaling and stuff (you do dream journal right?). Just keep at it.Ok, but it is very sad when my dream journal has 1 or 2 pages per night and then suddenly it takes 3 nights to fill half the page with either a few fragments or nothing. I'll keep at it, though.

[pj]

Originally posted by megabenman
1) Do you know any good meditating sites that you would reccomend, or should I try my luck on google?
2)I'll try sketching I guess.
3)I have a cut and cudly cat. She thinks she is a dog haha. I scratch her belly and ears all the time. She purrs loudly.
4)That would probably make me stressed about meeting new people or getting to the place on time.
5)Ok, I'll do that. But.... the only way I fall asleep is to have my mind wander. This happens almost unconciously, and when I snap out of my daze I will forget what I just thought about. What if I have thoughts that might cause stress then?
6)I CAN DO IT! I CAN DO IT! I KNOW I CAN! Very Happy

Those were SUGGESTIONS!!!! You don't have to try to do everything, let alone do everything at once. Why do I get the impression you are stressing over learning how to reduce stress? Seriously - I'm just telling you things that have worked in my life.

1) No, not offhand. Search around and see what's out there. Yes - try your luck!
4) Then don't do it!
5) You are already looking for reasons to fail... do you recognize that? Try this:
"Ok, I'll do that. PERIOD." (A very wise man once said that everything before 'but' is BS.) Seriously... when you spend time thinking about failure, you are planning failure. You are rehearsing and practicing failure. Emotionally and mentally, you are LIVING the failures you create in your mind. Even though you may no longer recognize it because it has become automatic behavior, you don't have to do that. Think about success! Rehearse and practice success. Live the successes you create in your mind.
6) You've got that right.

[megabenman]

"I wont fail." I will solve my stress problem!

Ok thank you very much :D
Really if I can live a normal non stressed live I'll owe it all to you.

[pj]

Originally posted by megabenman
"I wont fail." I will solve my stress problem!

Ok thank you very much :D
Really if I can live a normal non stressed live I'll owe it all to you.

You can, and you won't owe it to anybody but yourself.