So it's the middle of the night...

Hey forum,

Right now I am working on my Dream Recall and my ability to both identify and recognize dream signs.

I have noticed this pattern in my sleep where I will wake up naturally after my first or second REM period to pee. I also have shallow awakenings throughout the night that I am conscious of.

Here is the question I want to throw out to you men and women:

What techniques/affirmations/etc. can I use during those awakenings (especially the one where I go to the bathroom) in order to enhance my chances of remembering my dreams and possibly becoming lucid in them? I would also be interested if there are micro Reality Checks that people do during those spontaneous awakenings throughout the night.

Please leave your responses, I'd love any feedback.

~CK

That's a tough question as I have reached a state where I only RC in a dream and rarely practice RC's in waking life. If I awaken from REM dreams and I remember parts of the dream I was having then I can visualize the dream. The human brain likes to finish dreams. While you are visualizing the dream simply remind yourself of the LD journey you are taking. You might find yourself entering Deep Delta Brainwave sleep in a non-REM lucid dream. A non-REM lucid dream is one of the more intense lucid dream experiences I have had. Anyhoo, hope this helps.

Basically, it sounds like you're having natural awakenings, so I think WBTB is a great idea. Get out of bed for a minute, read something, etc. And then MILD when you get back in bed. MILD is perfect for something you can do when you wake up during the night a lot, and it only takes a few minutes so you don't risk losing a lot of sleep like you might for WILD. I have a good MILD tutorial in my sig if you're interested. :)

I used to close my eyes with a hand and flip a light switch in the bathroom. It's a good RC. The kinds of awakenings that you describe may produce some bizzare bathroom dreams prior to waking up. These can be dreamsigns in themselves.