Help! Need Focus Exercises and Tips!

I just discovered LD inducing techniques the other day and was exited to try them (probably not a productive attitude for dreaming :cheeky: ). I first attempted a WILD last night and found what I had the most trouble with is focusing.

I can't focus. I count maybe 4 or 5 breaths then my mind drifts and I can't focus. I also get distracted by my body. I also will notice that how well I am focusing sometimes and that itself will ruin it.

Does anyone have any tips or exercizes to improve focus? Are there types of food that increase the focus needed for lucid dreams?

And a random unrelated question: Do Binaural Beats help with WILDs?

EDIT: Forgot something - I experienced a wave of energy a couple of times when I was trying. I didn't move, yet It didn't feel like I had slipped into SP. This also distracted me from my focusing inward and made me focus on the outward sensation of SP. Is this bad?

Firstly, that sort of attitude is exactly what you want to have. Secondly, if you want to concentrate or relax, use visualisation. Close your eyes and imagine that you're in a peaceful environment. I like to visualise the Alaska Ranges (where I went on a trekking expedition few years back).

As for binaural beats, I don't really see a point in listening to those. Many people think that they are effective and well.. good for them. But personally I find them extremely irritating. So instead I just listen to my favourite music; which is so much more enjoyable. Classical music is also good.

Lastly, try using the MILD technique each night until you fall asleep.

Good luck!

Here is an exercise you could try.

Objectives: Improve focus/concentration, Improve awareness

Exercise: To start, sit down in a comfortable place and start to meditate, using whatever style or method you want. If you don't have any preferred method just relax and focus on your breathing. Once your thoughts have started to calm down think of the number one. Visualize it as vividly as you can, and say the number in your head. Once you have done that move on to 2. Repeat the process for as far as you can go before you lose count. At that point just start over at 1. If you want to get really hardcore about it do this every day for a few weeks and graph your progress (Day 1: got to 125 Day 2: got to 140 etc).

Once you can count indefinitely just sitting there try doing it with your eyes open and standing up. Try moving around, but be careful not to cheat and forget the visualization aspect of it. Doing complex tasks while maintain the same level of awareness is where it gets really hard. If you can keep your focused counting up while performing everyday activities, adding in the element of being extremely tired shouldn't be nearly as detrimental to your focus. Good luck!