1.For a beginner, the best way to start is to do reality checks throughout the day, keep a dream journal, and use MILD, combined with WBTB if possible.

2.In lucid dreams, it's usually easy to wake up, closing your eyes and attempting to open your real eyes will usually do it, although it might be more difficult if you're more deeply asleep than usual. However, it's usually a much better idea to face whatever's bothering you, no matter how little control you have, as this almost always leads to a far better outcome than if you run.

3.As for how long the hypnotic period of the WILD lasts, I've heard it usually takes somewhere between 30 minutes and two hours, but I've never really used WILD, so I'm just going by memory of tutorials I read a long time ago.