Dream Recall

I am having trouble with dream recall some nights and would like your opinions.

In the guide on how to recall dreams, it says that you need to "Focus your intent to wake from your dreams and remember them just before you lie down, and continue to repeat your intent to yourself as you approach sleep. Repeat to yourself over and over, “I will wake from my dreams and completely remember them.” If you find your thoughts wandering as you slip into sleep, reaffirm your intent."

This keeps me awake for ridiculous amounts of time some nights. If I don't let my mind wander, I will lay awake in bed for hours at times. I work a 9-5 job so I get pretty regular and consistent sleep. Should I continue to try this method? Or is there a better way? I also keep a dream journal and I have noticeably improved at dream recall. but...

Some nights, for example last night, I can't tell the difference between the crazy stuff I think of before going to sleep and my actual dreams. This isn't always a problem, but it is when I don't have a very vivid dream. If I can only remember bits and pieces of dreams, I never know for sure if what I am remembering is in fact a dream. I have caught myself before writing something down that I know I was thinking when I was awake before going to sleep.

Any information on dream recall that is not listed in the guide or advanced techniques would be much appreciated! :D

You don't HAVE to do the mantra technique to remember your dreams. It's just a technique worth trying out if you're having problem with recall. I myself never do that mantra, but only rely on writing my dreams down daily, and look forward to having them. Lie still when you wake up and let them come to you, this is the advice I have.

Also, the state you're describing happens to me aswell. Very often when I'm about to get sick or when I'm having a hard time falling asleep.

Do you have a technique to getting your mind to just stop thinking? I don't ever do that mantra either because it keeps me awake but I think I would have an easier time sleeping if I could somehow turn off my minds thoughts for a little while. Also when I wake up in the morning or in the night, I will try what you said. Should I literally not move and not think about anything but my dream until it comes to me?

When I go to bed, I'm often very tired of the day's physical activities and mental overload of thoughts, so I've got no technique there. To clear your mind you just look at your eyelids and don't try to think about anything. Especially the day's activities. When you wake up during the night, I suggest you just do mantra's or try to fall back asleep if you haven't recalled anything. Most likely you haven't really dreamt anything as you haven't slept much.