I've started to think we should call them "reality surveys" rather than reality checks. What we want to do is survey our surroundings and try to establish whether we're dreaming or not. So instead of starting with any one check, I've been trying to start with the question "How can I tell if I'm dreaming or not?" Then the individual checks become tools that are chosen for the particular situation. This mindset has helped me to keep reality checks an active mental process, rather than an automatic set of tasks to complete. I am also learning to trust that "I think I'm dreaming" feeling more, depending less on reality checks.