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Hey guys I'm new here. I learned of lucid dreaming and all the wonderful and fun things it can bring just this week! I very much so want to experience an LD but I only have one problem, whenever I try to sleep I can't stop thinking which usually drives me insane at night :mad: and I get little to no rest. I would really appreciate any tips on how to get some good ole' rest so I can finally enter the dream world!
The best thing that's worked for me is
Take a shower, brush your teeth, jammies, etc. Night routine.
Get in bed
Turn out the light
Close your eyes
Works. Really.
Why would you want to stop thinking?
Every time you fall asleep you're thinking unconsciously. Those thoughts form into hypnagogia. So, unless you're thinking consciously, willfully, you'll fall asleep just fine.
So, don't think your own thoughts, let whatever thoughts are in your head evolve on their own, freely. Relax and all will be fine. After all, there's only the WILD technique that requires you to stay conscious when falling asleep. Any other technique or just going to sleep without an active induction technique is...simple. Relax, both physically and mentally.
On a more helpful note, concentrating on shapes in your mind helps. Visualizing numbers in your head not only helps sleeping but also lucidity as well. Drinking hot tea is good, listening to music, etc, etc. Try things out; learn what you like the best.
And someone posted before I could redeem myself, but alright. :D
Thanks for the advice guys. But when I "try" to sleep I keep thinking consciously which keeps me from falling asleep and makes me restless but tonight I shall try what you guys recommended and hopefully that will relax me.
Hey Brandonbot, welcome to DreamViews:welcome:.
I have the same problem with sleeping especially during the school year. It seems like I think about what homework I had and what I have coming up. The way I avoid this now is by thinking about all this while in the shower before bed. Then I know that I've taken care of all the problems so I have nothing to worry about. I also listen to the radio in bed, AM is especially good because there are talk shows that put your minds on those topics and then you will start to drift off, and then you just throw the walkman under the bed and roll over and fall asleep (plus you learn alot by listening to the shows). I would also recommend christian radio shows. Those seriously put me to sleep very fast because it is someone preaching about something and it puts you to sleep. J. Vernon McGee used to be on my local station until a little while ago and I would fall asleep within like 15 minutes everynight without trying. I waould wake up at like 1AM with soothing music on. BTW the best AM station is definately WBZ in boston (I live in PA and theres been good propogation lately so I've been listen til midnight like every night. Hope this helps.
I had the same problem up until a couple of years ago, my mind would continually race with thoughts though I wanted sleep. Thing was, I didn't nessesarily need it.
In my case I discovered I was going to bed too soon. I was trying to make myself go to sleep at the same time as everyone else. I didn't realize until a couple of years ago that not everyone needs the same amount of sleep.
If you're really serious about it, watch your sleep pattern and adjust it. It does take time and effort to work it out though. If you find a bedtime that works for you then try to stick to that as often as possible, condition your body to know that that time is your time to sleep.
If you're not up to that all the above suggestions work wonderfully too. Welcome to Dream Views. See you around.