Questions about SP and sleep

[indescribable]

Wow, I'm so excited. I am finally aloud to join DV! (There used to be that rule about being 15...) Anyway, now that I'm a member I don't know where to start! I have a lot of trouble sleeping. I used to be a really good sleeper. I would get to sleep fast and stay asleep for my full 10 hours. But now it takes me a LONG time to get to sleep. (And that's BIG trouble when my siblings wake me up in the night.) I also wake up very early so I now only get about 6 hours each night. So altogether I don't have much time to dream anymore, and I'm always very tired. Does anyone have some ideas on how to get to sleep better and stay asleep? I've tried earplugs, curtains for my windows, warm milk and a warm bean bag (which helps a little), though I haven't tried vitamin B or melatonin though because I'm probably to young and because I don't want my system to get used to it. I get really antsy when I'm trying to have a WILD and I can never seem to stay still long enough to get into SP, I just have to move! And my bed is really uncomfortable so it's hard to really relax. Sometimes when I finally THINK I'm in sleep paralysis I try to move and then it ruins the whole thing! That's the trouble with me, I can't tell when I'm in SP. And then when I actually am in SP nothing happens. I might get the falling sensation or the tingling, but those aren't very good signs because I get those anyway. And I often don't try to move because I might ruin everything if I'm not actually in SP. Another thing that sucks is I have lousy hypnotic imagery. It's either very faint or hardly there at all. I always feel so jealous of people who say that they have crazy experiences with their HI and SP, because I long ago learned not to be afraid of those kinds of things. I guess I was to curious to be afraid. What can I do to improve my imagery? It would really help if I had some sort of sign to let me know that I am not a complete failure. I have had WILDs and many other things like that before, and very good ones to, but it is very hard for me to get them when I can't make my body fall asleep. I used to have awesome dream recall though (remembering anywhere from 5-8or9 dreams a night) but when I started writing them down my recall went down the tubes. Now I am only remembering 2 or 3 dreams a night. Isn't it supposed to be the opposite? If any of this makes any sense at all I would really appreciate some help. Once I'm asleep everything is awesome, but I need tips on getting there.

[Lucius]

Hey there! Glad you joined There is a lot to be learned about LDing and reading through this site's tutorials and forum will definitely help alot. I haven't tried vitamin B or melatonin though because I'm probably to young and because I don't want my system to get used to it. Yeah, stay away from pills and only use them as a last-ditch effort. Although they may help, in the long run it gets harder and harder to sleep without them and also to LD without them. Like you said, your body will get used to it. You'll just have to take more and more of it over time. As for other ideas to get to sleep easier.. you might wanna look into meditation and relaxation exercises, they might help. A cluttered mind doesnt help you get to sleep, and its also bad for your dream life Next to that, try to get as much as possible physical exercise during the day. Working out and such. Not only is that good for your general health, but if you use up a lot of energy during the day you'll have an easier time getting to sleep at night I get really antsy when I'm trying to have a WILD and I can never seem to stay still long enough to get into SP, I just have to move Dont worry about it, and try to sort of calmly move with the flow of your body. A sleeping body moves around at night as well, so its not the actual movement that disturbs WILD, its your shifting attention and becoming more aroused. So just kinda go with it and dont pay too much attention Also, for me personally, SP doesnt have many sensations. Sometimes my WILD is really quiet, so just focus on images or gut feeling. I do anyways Another thing that sucks is I have lousy hypnotic imagery. Dont worry, all the wild stories you read are generally occasions, not every night or anything. If you want to improve yours, just try visualisation and imagination excersises. You can practice during the day too. Visualise an object, in detail. Shape, color, smell, touch.. use all your mind's senses, in your imagination. Go from there to a whole scenery. Imagine being at the beach and feel the sand under your feet, the sound of waves and the smel of sea salt. The more detailed, the harder, yet the better. Or imagine a swirling orb of many colors, like fireworks. All this while relaxing your mind first, of course. And never think youre a complete failure. It just takes a little time. You'll see with more practice and favorable conditions, you'll get lots and lots better. I used to have awesome dream recall though (remembering anywhere from 5-8or9 dreams a night) but when I started writing them down my recall went down the tubes. Now I am only remembering 2 or 3 dreams a night. Isn't it supposed to be the opposite Did anything in your life change? Like more stress, work, school, trouble with friends/parents, a new girl/boy friend etc. Anything that might serious affect you. Big positive things too. Such life-changing things can seriously affect your dream-life and it takes a while before you stabilise again. If not then, try not to worry about it. You might just be on a dry spell. Also, sometimes trying -too- hard might work counterproductive. Also, for dream recall, make sure you give yourself some time to recall your dreams when you first wake up. So slumber about a little before you fill your mind with the thoughts of the day and getting up. If you gotta go somewhere, put your alarmclock 5 minutes earlier and press snooze. Either that or go downstairs whilst still thinking about your dreams. Anyways, any other questions lemme know and I'll give you my couple o cents. Good luck!