Thread: Alarm Clock and dream recall problem

Hey everyone,

I've been working on my dream recall, however I've been having the same problem. When I wake up I know that I've been dreaming, but as soon as my alarm clock beeps it jolts me awake and knocks the memory of the dream right out of my head. A combination of the noise and getting up to turn off the alarm really ruins any chance of me remembering any dreams. Even if I turn it off, lay down, and try to remember, the memory is already gone.

I have to wake up at 6 every morning for school, but is there any way around this problem?

Thanks!

Set the alarm clock to turn on the radio instead of the alarm?
Put it closer to your bed?

Do you have a smartphone? Because there are tons of apps that have very gentle alarms, and you could keep the phone next to you so you can turn off the alarm quickly and without having to get up, or you could use a longer gentle alarm that shuts off by itself after a number of seconds.

I do have a smartphone (android)

I've had a similar problem lately. My recall isn't great anyway, but my current plan is to establish a sleep schedule for myself (including a WBTB) so that I'll wake up naturally and hopefully remember dreams more easily.

You can also drink water before bed. This can help you wake up naturally, and thus avoid the alarm altogether. Furthermore, once you wake up to pee, drink some more water and go back to bed. You'll probably wake up again after your next REM cycle, and so on until the morning.