WILDs feel groggy and slow, can't open my eyes

[sanctum]

I've been having this problem for a while. I essentially DEILD for my lucid dreams -- I come to consciousness (at least, I think I do) in my bed, can sense that I'm in a good spot to try to transition in, and with a little bit of concentration, I feel vibrations and transition into a dream. I'm very conscious of my body the entire way, so when I feel that the transition is over, I try to raise my dream-arms out of my real arms to get out of bed and start walking around the dream. But whenever I start this way, it's like I've been woken up from deep sleep -- I can't open my eyes, I can barely move around, my head feels fuzzy, and I feel like I'm moving through syrup. I try stabilizing by rubbing my hands and touching things, but I still can't keep my eyes forced open. I'm basically limited to my bed, and while I can have some fun there, I certainly can't flex my imagination and dream-power the way I would like. Is there a way to fix this strange grogginess?

[Sageous]

^^ This has happened to me many times, Sanctum, and it is indeed truly annoying. I think what's happening here is that your body hasn't realized you've gone back to dreamland, and is still attempting to wake up while you're attempting to dream, causing an unpleasant conflict that leaves you in that limbo between wake and sleep you describe. Here's how I've solved it: Instead of attempting to stabilize or strike out after my dream goals (or even move my DC body), I pause for a momemnt and remember that my physical body might just be a little off schedule and needs a moment to "catch up." Then I relax, focus on the dream I just left (because this seems to only happen in DEILDs), and am careful not to think about my physical body -- better to leave it be while it realizes its supposed to be asleep, not awake. And realize it it will, in time. So just relax, don't try to open your eyes (that probably deeply confuses your brain's wake-up system), and think about your last dream. In time your body will catch up, forget about waking, and allow you to continue with your LD... and you know what to do from there! At least, that's my take, and what works for me.

[Xanous]

I have this problem a lot too. I'm starting to realize that in these instances I should slow down, wait a bit, and be more patient. When this happens I've found that focusing on visualization instead of physical sensations seems to put me in a dream location faster than moving out of bed. Pretty much what Sageous said. Glad it's not just me!

[sanctum]

So just relax, don't try to open your eyes (that probably deeply confuses your brain's wake-up system), and think about your last dream. Thanks for your advice -- it's good to know it's not just me. Except for one small problem...I never remember what my last dream was! Or if I was even dreaming. Whenever I DEILD, I just sort of come to my senses in a hazy half-asleep state, and I only assume I was dreaming because I transition back into a dream so quickly. When I transition, I feel vibrations throughout my body, and that makes it so I can't let go of my body and imagine myself someplace else. I can still feel that I'm lying down on my bed, so I can't imagine myself standing in a field or something.

[Sivason]

Ok. I know what is going on. The best news is that Sageous and Xanous have given you the info you can use to fix it. With WILD you may be aware in nREM just as easy as REM. Many just rest and wait hoping to reach a nice REM zone, while others will explore this odd enviroment through visualization. The take home message is that stage one nREM1 still has ~30% sensory awairness of your body. Thr big risk is moving you actual body Beginners at WIlD must luck out and get to REM in as little a two minutes, or they fall into normal sleep.)

[Sageous]

Thanks for your advice -- it's good to know it's not just me. Except for one small problem...I never remember what my last dream was! Or if I was even dreaming. Whenever I DEILD, I just sort of come to my senses in a hazy half-asleep state, and I only assume I was dreaming because I transition back into a dream so quickly. When I transition, I feel vibrations throughout my body, and that makes it so I can't let go of my body and imagine myself someplace else. I can still feel that I'm lying down on my bed, so I can't imagine myself standing in a field or something. Oh! That would be a real problem with DEILD (they don't call it Dream Exit Induced LD for nothing). In that case, you might not only be stuck with the waking up process, but you're also in between REM cycles, and your dreaming mind isn't prepared to participate either. Though this seems a bit of a mess, you still have a couple of options, though it won't be easy. First, you could work toward actually remembering the dream from which you just emerged (there are guides to help you with this, including a chapter of my own WILD class on DVA, and it might be better to sample them than me trying to write it all here), and using the dream to hold your focus as I noted in my last post. Second, you could try making those vibrations less of a distraction, perhaps by not seeing them as vibrations, but as a sign that your dream is on the way ... and nothing more. Also, what I said in the last post about pausing would still work here, as it will help you wait for the next REM cycle (in addition to the stuff in my last post, which hasn't changed) Also, it is possible to visualize, even when you can feel your body. People visualize in waking life (aka daydreaming) all the time, in spite of potential distractions that far outweigh vibrations, and always in the presence of their body; you might consider giving it a shot, as this might help as well. That's all I got. I'm not sure I was any help, because we might be talking about two different things, but good luck to you in any case!

[Sageous]

One more thought that won't fix, but might help: Timing. Are you attempting these DEILD's well into your sleep period, like after at least five or six hours of sleep? If not, you might try that as well, because then you'll be making your attempts when REM cycles are virtually banging into each other, so at least the problem of missing REM will be minimized.

[Mr0Blonde]

Yeah I've sometimes had that problem of not being able to open my eyes unless I force them and they feel to heavy and keep trying to shut. What I started doing was instead of trying to force them open, just think to yourself you don't need your eyes open in a Dream to see and that you can see through your Dream eyelids! Once you can see, you'll probably be able to start moving easier also. It worked well for me so hope it helps.

[NrElAx]

Has defiantly happened to me on more than one occasion. I figure its probably because im not fully in a dream yet or something. Its almost like dreams I have about sports. I'll feel drunk while playing basketball or hockey and completely suck. like my muscles are failing me.