Need Help-i Think Abt Ld So Much I Can't Sleep...

[dm22]

I used to have lucid dreams awhile ago and have had probably a handful in the past, I started reading up about them and found out what they are and how to start having them more frequently. Well anyways I've read over the last few days some guides to learning how to do them. I have pretty good success with dream recall now, I'm recording at least 1-2 a night. I'm also getting better with reality checks and all that stuff. My big problem is that when I go to sleep, I've read that you'll want to tell your "I will have a lucid dream tonight" or "I will remember my dreams tonight" and try to think about dreaming and remember your dreams. Well when I do this, I have A LOT of trouble actually falling asleep. Now sleeping is NEVER a problem for me under normal circumstances, I can fall asleep in the middle of a room with people partying, I can fall asleep within minutes just sitting on a couch, etc, etc. This ONLY happens when I really start telling myself these affirmations and think about dreaming. It's like I keep telling myself these things and thinking of dreaming, and something in the back of mind keeps wondering "when will I fall asleep" or "hurry up and fall asleep" and it like causes a negative effect on me and actually KEEPS ME UP! This sucks because basically I could be sitting there for 90 minutes sometimes and not fall asleep. I'll have to just clear my mind and stop thinking about dreaming, then I actually fall asleep. Where this really effects me is when I wake up 4.5-5 hours into sleep, then write down dreams and go back to sleep, when I go back to sleep I'm thinking about dreaming even harder because I'm anxious to get to sleep and have a lucid dream and its the same problem.... something in my mind is like waiting for me to sleep.... What do you guys think? Anyone have this problem?

[despertar]

well, dont panick, I´ve used to have the same problem. Trying to stop that thoughts is not going to work. But in my experience the best way is to try a WILD! Yes. In the best result you will have a LD and in the worse you will experience at least some hypnagogic and after get sleep. Try and tell me if it works for you.

[Theresa]

Well, you say the way for you to get to sleep is to clear your mind, which is a good thing to know. One way that works (for me) to speed up this "mind clearing process" is meditation or focused relaxation. Look up some ways on this site- it makes you focus on that and clears other thoughts pretty well for me. Good luck and I hope this helped some.