Trouble using WILD / trying to get SP

I have never really consciously felt any very noticeable signs of sleep paralysis (that I can remember), even though I've been trying for the past few days. I am curious about what it feels like, and ideally would like it to help me practice WILD (I know SP is not a requirement for WILD, but it can help a lot). However, earlier today I took a nap and so tried to stay conscious while falling asleep. All my muscles were relaxed and my breathing and heart rate was calm and slow. I felt a slight tingling sensation, usually starting at my hands. The best way I can describe it is, it feels a bit like my fingers and hands started to get swollen, but it's quite a pleasant feeling. I've felt this before and assume it's just an early stage of sleep paralysis. I usually always fall asleep after getting this feeling.

This afternoon, however, after I felt the feeling I just described, I felt my finger 'twitch' very quickly, and it kind of startled me. It didn't feel like my finger moved at all because it still felt numb, so I started to think maybe it was the start of some out of body experience or a lucid dream. Even though I tried to stay calm, tried to observe, my heart rate went up really fast and so I gave up soon after because I knew I got too excited, and because I didn't think I would be able to fall asleep anymore.

In real life, I am a bit of an anxious and nervous kind of person, more so than the average person. Will/can this have much effect on lucid dreaming/WILD? Weird sensations and experiences startle/scare me. I think I've already improved compared to a few years ago in terms of relaxing and having a good mindset when trying to sleep or LD. Do you think I should make it a priority by meditating more often, and having a more relaxed, calm, 'zen' mindset in general? Will it help me WILD if I'm less anxious in general, or is it just a matter of practicing WILD and getting used to all the sensations that come with SP?

Thanks in advance :)

Well yes, the ability to stay calm and relaxed does help when it comes to any type of lucid dream, sometimes it can mean the difference between success and failure. I've heard many times people who were unable to WILD and/or stay inside a LD because they were too excited and ruined the experience for themselves/woke up.

Meditation is key! So great! It will for sure help with WILD, and staying calm.


Also, it's not called sleep paralysis!

It's called REM atonia.

:cool: Deal with it.

Just relax your body entirely and calm your mind, do not even focus you are WILDing or the process of it, just focus on your dream and staying aware. If you do that and if you fail the WILD you might fall asleep and get a MILD :)