Well, I'm new to lucid dreaming...Can anyone give me some tips?

[xDontGiveIn]

I am going to try my first lucid dreaming tonight (I am not expecting it to work the first time) and I'm just wondering can anyone give me any tips to lucid dreaming? I also heard of this method if you lay on your back perfectly still when you are very sleepy and you close your eyes for 20-30 minutes you will enter deep sleep paralysis and you will enter a lucid dream. Has anyone tried this method and if you did did it work? This is the method that I'm going to try. One of my main concerns is waking up. Do you wake up automatically when you panic or get too excited?

[CharlesD]

I think the method you mention is probably not the thing for a beginner. There is a ton of information on here that will help you with whatever method you choose, but I would just start with the basics. I just came on here almost a month ago and I've increased the frequency just by paying attention to a few basic things that aren't really that complicated. Build your memory. Most people keep a journal and write down whatever dreams they can remember in the morning. I've always had good recall, but just doing this has helped me see patterns and might help you recognize a dream when you're in it. Everyone talks about reality checks, and that would probably be a good thing to start doing as well, but I set a poor example in that regard because I've never done them. There is plenty of info on here regarding reality checks and how best to go about them, but what I hear people talk about is having the proper mindset when you do them. Which brings me to what I think is the most important thing, your mindset. I've been having them naturally for most of my life, but I had no idea when one was going to happen or not, but since I've been on here I have a mindset to expect it to happen, and that alone has caused them to happen more than they used to. Go to bed with the expectation and maybe even looking forward to it, and you will be more likely to have that light bulb go off in your dream and you will realize you're dreaming. I find that when that happens, I'm pretty much in the dream and a reality check would be a moot point, but that isn't the case for everyone. Just be positive and keep a good mindset, and whatever method you choose you will give yourself a good chance of success.

[Baradrim]

The method you mentioned is called "WILD". It is one of the most popular techniques, but it is definitely not for a beginner. Anyway, you will probably wake up whenever you get excited, so I recommend to stabilize the dream by yelling "STABILIZE DREAM" or something like that

[Mancon]

Like the two people above me said, the method you are describing is the WILD technique. While a lot of people have trouble with the technique, some people get the hang of it pretty easily. I disagree when they say it is not for a beginner. As long as you understand it completely before trying it, go for it! Here is a link that should help get you started. Some pointers to help you out: -When you WILD, you should NOT be doing it right before bed. You should go to sleep and wake up 4-7 hours after you first fell asleep and then attempt to WILD. - You don't need to get into SP in order to WILD successfully. -Don't expect to get it right the first time. The WILD technique usually takes people longer to get than any other technique. Just stay motivated, confident, and keep trying. The WILD technique definitely isn't for everyone. If it isn't for you, that's okay! There are still many more techniques for you to try. As for the waking up, just remember to stay calm. You want to stabilize the dream as fast as you can. Good luck! If you have questions, just ask!

[MarineRecon]

I would say patience and practice are very important. You also need to have the right mindset. If you don't expect yourself to succeed than you won't. In addition keep practicing a technique for a couple of months before you start a new one. Lucid dreaming is an art and it takes time to learn and even more time to master.