I've heard that the part of the brain that processes and analyzes information basically shuts off while dreaming. I've also noticed that the only shurefire thing that alerts me in my sleep that I'm dreaming is looking at a clock, the reality check I use throughout the day. Even if I'm floating in space next to my friends, it's a clocks jumbled numbers that alert me. What would happen if I added more types of reality checks throughout the day, would I have more dream signs?

It seems that I have a certain reality check that turns into a permanent dream sign instead of the other way around. Any one notice something similar?

Does more types of reality checks mean more types of dream signs?