Amount of Reality Checks

I've been trying to lucid dream off and on for the past year and have had only a few lucids. I do various reality checks, but the one that seems to work best for me is looking at my hands and counting my fingers (one dreamsign is I always have at least 7 fingers). I also use the technique of looking at text, such as a digital clock, and seeing if it changes. I do these reality checks periodically throughout the course of the day, but I feel like I should ask for advice to see if I can improve on something.

My question to you all is: How often should I do reality checks? and when should I do them?


Thanks.

I usually do them whenever I'm zoned out, or when something strange happens. Like one day I was on the bus back from school, and a chicken literally crossed the road. Weird stuff like that.
Also, don't just do a reality check, question if you're acually in a dream or not. Retrace your steps until you know for sure you're in reality.
Hope that helps :D

Personally, I do reality checks every 15 minutes, using objects I daily use, like the laptop or my wallet, to remind me to RC. For example. if I see my wallet, I'd think, "Yeah, I have to do an RC every time I see my wallet." And then I would RC. using color instead of objects is better, but it calls for a lot more reality checks. Try doing a reality check whenever you see the color black. If it develops into a habit, RCing in dreams = piece of cake.

interesting thought. That color idea sounds like such a great idea.

Everytime I see the colour orange I'm gonna RC. :P
When I RC I usually look at my hands and notice the clarity and normality of them. I look at my enviroment that surrounds me and if I don't have my headphones on I listen to the sounds of the place I am in.

Well, you could try to extend your RC for long periods of time? For example, if you are often on the computer, try to be counting your fingers for as long as you are there, that should make the RC appear more in dreams.

Woah that object idea is awesome, I'm definately doing that tomorrow