Dreaming Troubles

[Awake And Dreaming]

I have had an LD in the short time that I have known how, but I have a problem. I don't have dreams, or remember them at least, often enough to try harder. I don't think it's a dream recall problem because most of the time I don't even feel like I had a dream. Can anyone help me with this? Am I an odd case, or does everyone experience this?

[TygrHawk]

I think it's pretty safe to assume that it is simply a recall problem. It's been shown that everyone dreams every night. If you don't remember dreaming -- well, it's just that you don't remember, not that you didn't dream. Have you tried keeping a dream journal? Have you tried telling yourself "I will awaken after I dream and I will remember the dream" as you are going to sleep? Dream recall is something you have to put some effort into -- it may come easily for some people, but obviously you are not one of those.

[Awake And Dreaming]

[quote]Have you tried keeping a dream journal? Have you tried telling yourself "I will awaken after I dream and I will remember the dream" as you are going to sleep? I do keep a journal and I've tried that and several other methods, but most of them only serve to keep my mind busy and won't let me fall asleep. Any other suggestions?

[TygrHawk]

If you haven't already, check out this Tutorial on Dream Recall. Other than that, I don't think I have any other suggestions right off the top of my head. Anyone else?

[mongreloctopus]

how much sleep do you get? do you have a regular sleep cycle? consume any drugs/vitamins? whats your diet like? under stress? bad sleep environment?

[Awake And Dreaming]

I usually sleep between 7 and 8 hours per night. I don't drink, do drugs, or even smoke. Usually I watch TV until I'm tired enough to just close my eyes and fall asleep, but recently I've been trying the relaxation and recall techniques rather than watching TV. Recently, I've had stressful work and hehersals for my theatre performance, but this problem is older thhan that stress. My room is always quiet, with very little light. I would know if there were sounds because I wake up so easily. But I'll keep exploring new methods per TygrHawk's recomendations. I am still open for useful suggestions.

[TygrHawk]

First of all, I apologize if my last response seemed kinda short -- I didn't have much time right then. It sounds like you're doing the right things. The only thing I see there that might help is an extra hour or two of sleep -- perhaps not every night, but once or twice a week -- might help. Those last hours of sleep are usually the ones where you will have the longest, most vivid dreams -- although you almost certainly are having some dreams earlier in the night also. Also, give it time, and try not to get frustrated about it. Usually just being able to recall your dreams can be accomplished very quickly, but as we all know, everyone is different. You might need to work on a method for a couple of weeks or more before you start getting any results. If you get stressed about it not working, or anticipate failure, these things can hurt you as well. Have confidence that you will recall your dreams each night as you go to bed, but if you wake up without any recall, just say "oh well, there's always tomorrow". Getting angry or upset with yourself will only make things worse. I do find it interesting that you say you're a light sleeper. So am I. For me, many times, this means that even though I may get "enough" sleep, it's not uninterrupted or sound sleep -- which in turn hurts my dream recall, and ability to lucid dream. Perhaps this could be one of your issues? In any case, don't give up. Those dreams are in there, you just need to figure out the best way to get to them.

[Pelirrojo]

"Recently, I've had stressful work and rehersals for my theatre performance, " The problem may be older than this, but the stress coming from your performances is probably what's holding you back now. I find that stressed absolutely destroys my dream recall, and I've never had a LD when I'm stressed out (because I'm always thinking about something other than dreaming). Since you can't really change your situation, try to change how you view it. One thing that works for me when I'm stressed out about life before I go to bed, is just saying, "alright, tomorow is going to suck, but I don't have to worry about that now - all I have to do for the next 8 hours is sleep and it's going to be awesome." Hope that helps - Pete

[AirRick101]

journal is the regular panacea. Just stick a journal next to you when you sleep, and upon awakening, don't move your body, this will disturb the surfacing dream memories. Then when you get a few snippets, go ahead and write them down in as much detail as you can. Usually, more memories will come up, and this will exercise your brain's ability to remember dreams, and the rest is up to you!

[kafine]

I find if I can't remember a dream, lying still and sorting through my recent memories usually helps. For example, my freind Mrsh shows up in most of my dreams, so I think about her, and if I dreamed about her it sometimes triggers the memory. If not her, I sort through my other freinds and family.

[Pelirrojo]

That's a good idea kafine offered, and I find when that doesn't work if I just get up and go about my day, something will trigger the memory of the dream. A lot of times I'll be walking to class and just be thinking about what I did the night before, and I'll start thinking about something crazy and be like wait a minute.... I must have been dreaming!

[kafine]

That happens to me a lot... I went to put something in the microwave yesterday and suddenly had a weird feeling that the inside of the microwave had melted, but I opened it and all was well. Ahah! A dream!

[Awake And Dreaming]

I'd like to thank you all for your help, I recalled an extremely short dream last night. Basically, I was working all day, replacing everything in the kitchen EXCEPT for the kitchen sink. So, by the time it was time for sleep, I was exhausted. I watched some crappy late night tv until I knew I needed to turn it off. I rolled over, closed my eyes, had a brief thought of Dream Views and the word "remember", and before my mind got to thinking (which would have kept me up for another hour), I was out like a light. And I dreamed... Thanks to everybody who posted!!!