I have recently been trying to be more aware, hoping that it will help in my dreams. It has helped, but it also might be whats causing a surprising difference in awareness while I am sleeping, even when I'm not dreaming.
When I'm asleep, and not dreaming, I am not aware, like normal, but when I wake up I can remember laying there staring at my eyelids while asleep. Also, waking up isn't the instant consciousness that normally occurs. Now, it is more like a transition that I am aware of. I think this opens up a possibility of becoming lucid before you're even in a dream. Potentially, this could be practiced to be able to become lucid during any time that you are sleeping.