I think the general idea is to practise until they become a habit, so you don't have to remember to do one, you just do it.

On that topic - everyone's best working checks? In my last LD I was fairly certain I was dreaming (I had just flown to New York to look for my friend at home, got there and realized I lived in Africa), but I thought I'd make certain. Closed one eye - yep, there was my nose. Checked my watch a coupla times - it remained obstinately stable. Eventually, it was the jumping into the air and flying down the block to check that convinced me.