Thread: Trouble with WBTB

I think you are staying up for too long. 15 minutes is quite a long time when considering a WBTB. I would cut that time down to maybe 5 minutes or 10 at most, and see what kind of results you get. Also, what are you doing during your WBTB? If you are doing something that requires too much attention or movement, you are likely waking yourself up too much, thus making it more difficult for your body to easily fall back into sleep.

I don't really do anything I avoid my phone and computer screen. I mainly read or do sodoku. Also I heard that shorter time staying awake makes it less affective.

Originally Posted by Apos10

I don't really do anything I avoid my phone and computer screen. I mainly read or do sodoku. Also I heard that shorter time staying awake makes it less affective.

WBTB is different for everyone, and so there is no standard amount of time. Based off what you have said, you've worked with time frames between 45-15 minutes in length. Those have proved ineffective thus far, so it probably wouldn't hurt to try 5-10 minute time frames

Ok I will try it tonight and let u know how it goes thanks!

I did 5 min last night and i was able to fall back asleep. Although i didn't get lucid i did have more dreams and better recall. Maybe tomorrow ill push for 10 minutes but anyways thanks for the help!

I haven't had much lucid experience, but both times was after a WBTB.
For me I have to be awake just long enough to make sure I have enough concentration for MILD but not too long and I would def not do a Sudoku as that would make me too awake. Usually I don't even write in my dream journal anything more than a few key words otherwise I wake up too much.

For me the time is 3-5 min max just enough time to go to the bathroom or get a drink, even then I often take 30 min to get back to sleep

One thing you didn't mention was how much sleep you are getting before doing WBTB. If you can't get back to sleep quickly perhaps try waking up earlier

Another thing is that I've found that the slower I fall asleep, the more lucid my following dreams tend to be.

Seriously pursue the study and practice of relaxation, both physical and mental. It is worth it. Falling asleep in a reasonable amount of time after a WBTB is pretty important for LDing. You don't want to miss out on the juicy later morning REMs. Meditation is one way to practice relaxation. It helps you tame your unruly mind which is the primary cause of insomnia.

It may help to try and find a position (lying/sitting) in which you can relax, but won't be able to fall asleep.

For instance, I can fall asleep on my side or back, but not on my back with my face pointed towards the ceiling. When I wake up in the middle of the night and want to avoid immediately falling back to sleep, I go lie in exactly that last position. It's comfortable and I can get hypnagogic images, sometimes even the onset of dreams, but I'll never quite fall asleep. I'll do this for a little while, then shift my position to try and WILD (or fall into a sleep/dream state with increased chances of getting lucid).

The big advantage here for me is that I won't be too awake and will be able to swiftly fall asleep again, but not so fast that I'm out in three seconds

Maybe something similar could work for you.

Just a thought,

-Redrivertears-