Thread: Does anyone else have this problem?

I have this problem where I cannot usually remember my dreams when I am awoken suddenly, such as with my alarm clock. This was the case this morning, I woke up to the sound of my alarm, and instantly my dream recall my has well have been thrown out the window.

I am fine on the weekends when I can wake up on my own. I usually remember three or four dreams per night on the weekend.

Can anyone help me with this, or is there any solution?

-Thanks for your patience,
Kordan

Yes being suddenly awoken can pretty much wipe away your dream memory! If you are using an alarm, I suggest laying in bed for a few minutes (after turning it off), not moving, and gently trying to recall what you had just seen/heard/felt...

Otherwise, perhaps you could train yourself to wake up without the use of an alarm. Oftentimes I find myself waking up a couple of minutes or so before my alarm goes off. Although I've found that I'm only able to do this if I get adequate sleep.

Originally Posted by Mes Tarrant

Otherwise, perhaps you could train yourself to wake up without the use of an alarm. Oftentimes I find myself waking up a couple of minutes or so before my alarm goes off. Although I've found that I'm only able to do this if I get adequate sleep.

Hehehe, I have that too. Quite annoying in the weekends though :p.

You could also try using a radio-alarm (you know...a radio starts playing at the set time instead of a loud BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!). Go to bed with the thought of being able to recall your dream, and if you don't recall anything, try to stay in your bed, not moving and just thinking about what it could have been.

-Stenny

Welcome.

Yeah it's best to wake up after a dream, usually if you wake up mid-dream you will have les chance of remembering it.

As Mes suggested, try to use self suggestion by repeating to yourself that you will wake up after each dream period. Then try to sit there/lie for a short while remembering what you dreamt about.

Originally Posted by Kordan

I have this problem where I cannot usually remember my dreams when I am awoken suddenly, such as with my alarm clock.

I think it's worth trying to recall even if you do use an alarm.

1. Make sure the alarm is in easy reach.

2. Maybe see if you can stay half-asleep for a few instants when the alarm goes off, and use them to concentrate on what you were just dreaming, make a more permanent memory, if necessary imagine writing or saying a keyword.

3. Once you're awake, immediately switch off the alarm and lie back down in the same position. I'm sure letting your eyes close would help, so long as you can avoid actually falling asleep again - best use the snooze button just in case :-). You want to avoid thinking "alarm - got to get up dress eat breakfast" etc. You might also need to avoid the memories of going to bed / going to sleep, because I think peoples minds are designed to be able to resume "where they left off" when they went to sleep.

Hey there,

For me personally, I've noticed that when I get woken up unexpectedly like that, I often need a little 'cool down' time for the dream to come back. Wait for the sudden rush of excitement or surprise to vanish.

I'd often just get up, go to the toilet quickly, come back to bed and lie down relaxed, calm, and try to find some memory of the dream. And more often then not, something would come back after I'm back in a state of peaceful resting.

Might work for you

Just my 2 sleepycents,

-Redrivertears-