Trouble with Recall

**owtoty** · 03-18-2014 12:07 PM

Lately, I've been having a lot of trouble with dream recall during the week. I have to wake up to an alarm, which I think is the problem. I know you are supposed to be still, but I always just shut the alarm off first. I have really good recall when I don't have to wake up to an alarm, but with it I rarely remember a dream. Is there any way to "train" myself to wake up naturally or a little bit before my alarm (just in case). Thanks!

**Tygar** · 03-18-2014 02:05 PM

I truly hate alarms! I completely understand your dilemma. My alarm is a dream eraser.

Here are some suggestions:
• Every night as you lay in bed to sleep repeat to yourself, “I will wake up naturally fifteen minutes before my alarm.” Have very serious intentions of waking 15 min before your alarm. Feel how important it is to you. This is a way to program your mind.
• You can purchase a “Wake-Up Light”. This is an alarm that wakes you up with gradually brightening light instead of sound. This would be less jarring.
• You could go to bed earlier and hopefully wake up before your alarm.
• You could get an alarm clock that wakes you up with “nature sounds” or soft classical music.

**owtoty** · 03-18-2014 10:34 PM

Thanks! I have never heard of an alarm clock that wakes you up with light that sounds so cool!

**owtoty** · 03-19-2014 12:04 PM

I tried the mantra one last night and it worked! I woke up exactly 30 minutes before my alarm, even though I repeated 15 minutes in the mantra, it's close enough. Although I did only remember a fragment, it was better than nothing!

**Tygar** · 03-19-2014 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by owtoty

I tried the mantra one last night and it worked! I woke up exactly 30 minutes before my alarm, even though I repeated 15 minutes in the mantra, it's close enough. Although I did only remember a fragment, it was better than nothing!

Well Done! Dream recall is like a muscle, it will get stronger the more you use it. Try not to get discouraged. You will have nights where you remember more, and nights where you remember less. Just last night I could only remember 1 small fragment...but I had a great night's sleep.