Question about napping and REM.

[The Silver Bullet]

So I was wondering when napping would be efficient for dreaming. Should it be an hour or so after I wake up in the mornings or later in the evenings, maybe 6 hours after being awake? Should I be tired? Also, will I be able to WILD from the get go or will I have to sleep for a while? Sorry if these questions have been asked, I just don't understand how you can WILD from a nap after being awake for so long. I mean, shouldn't your REM cycle be over with by then?

[AURON]

you can have dreams during NREM phases.

[The Silver Bullet]

Yes but I heard their not very vivid.

[KingYoshi]

Well, I like to nap at around 3 or 4 hours after waking in the morning. You will be able to WILD right away during naps and you don't have to be sleepy as long as you can fall asleep. Sleepy is good, but too sleepy and you will most likely fall asleep normally before entering SP. Your REM cycle lasts longer than the average person sleeps, thats why napping WILDs are so sufficient. Like Akono said, you can dream in NREM as well. The vividness is debateable...Good Luck

[The Silver Bullet]

Hmm, so napping in the evening might not be as successfull I take it. Also, why do I hear so much about it being so hard WILDing at night before you go to bed, you know, without a WBTB, if you can WILD with NREM? Thanks for the help guys btw and sorry for the noob questions. P.S. I know everybodys different and different techniques only work for some and not others, I was just wanting to get others input so it might help me clarify some things.

[AURON]

cause your body has been running all day....and it's time to recover.

[KingYoshi]

Well, I always nap in the evening, but that is because I sleep until noon or later everyday. I would say that you could try and WILD up to about 6 or so hours after waking in the morning. Just play around with it and see what times work best for you. WILDing works best during REM sleep, but REM cycles continue after you awake. NREM WILDing is possible, but it takes a long, long time.

[The Silver Bullet]

Oh ok. One more noob question. How does REM still continue after your awake?

[KingYoshi]

(Sorry, I think I mislead you with my wording) It isn't that REM cycles while you are awake, but during naps you can enter REM sleep much quicker than after a full day. The earlier you nap upon waking in the morning, the easier it is to enter straight into REM. Toward the end of a nights sleep, your sleep has its longest dreaming periods. It is still used to those upon awakening and your body easily picks right back up into the cycle in naps. The longer you wait the harder it will be to enter REM. Also, getting less than 8 hours of sleep, can cause for an easier time hitting REM in naps. Good Luck!

[The Silver Bullet]

Ok cool. I got it now. Thanks for the help again guys.