Issues with staying still.

Generally when I try to have a lucid dream I lay straight on my back with my arms by my side. I've tried in a more natural sleeping position but I find I just fall asleep. Anyway, usually when I'm laying there is something bothers me, like an itch, I can kind of ignore it or tell myself that it'll go away on it's own an eventually it does, but about 20 minutes into my laying there my arms and legs get a really strong desire to move, almost like a "restless leg syndrome" kind of thing. It gets to the point where it's almost uncomfortable not to move, at which point I usually move and give up on trying to have a lucid dream. Does anyone know of a way I can combat this, or any other ways of trying to gain lucidity that might be easier? Thanks.

-Echo

Isn't the point to be relaxed & comfortable? So resisting all of this seems to throw you off.

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Originally Posted by Buckey

Isn't the point to be relaxed & comfortable? So resisting all of this seems to throw you off.

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I've always assumed if I take the time to move or scratch an itch then it would ruin any progress I've made for that night. I suppsed fighting the urge to move could just make it worse and inevitably keep me awake longer.

Yeah there are some tutorials on here which state that you "have to remain completely still" and "resist any form of itch". Doing so will shift your focus towards that itch or whatever which isn't what you wanna do; you wanna be comfortable so you can sleep with that anchor. I'd recommend this tutorial (it really helped me):

http://www.dreamviews.com/wake-initi...ild-guide.html

Good luck mate!

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Originally Posted by EchoJuliet

Generally when I try to have a lucid dream I lay straight on my back with my arms by my side. I've tried in a more natural sleeping position but I find I just fall asleep.

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One can't have lucid dream without falling asleep, because one can't dream without falling asleep. I assume you are talking about WILD method? For WILD you have fall asleep but while being aware. Though staying still is good for some people when falling asleep, but like MarcusQ said, do not focus on staying still, movement is not failure of the process as long as you don't focus on it, just sleep like you normally do, but with awareness. Also you don't need any specific position. :)
Also are you trying WILD when going to sleep normally? If so, it has very low success rates. If you want to be successful with WILD you have to use WBTB after 4-5 hours of sleep or WILD during a nap. :zzz:
I highly suggest checking out those tutorials:
http://www.dreamviews.com/induction-...cid-dream.html for short one and
WILD for more in-depth one. :peek:
As for other ways, you can check them here, there's no 'easy' way though, you have to experiment with techniques to figure out what works best for you, since 'best' varies from person to person: Induction Methods and Techniques :poof:

*Moved to WILD*

When I've tried WILD I also get urges occasionally to move or scratch something. If you get those urges just take care of them. Being uncomfortable won't help you have a lucid dream.

In general it can be easier to have a WILD while lying on the back but it's not a rule, nor required. I found that I'm more likely to WILD while reclined in my living room chair. The change of location combined with the semi-upright position not only helps me retain awareness but avoid common issues of sleeping on the back, like snoring.

One thing many people don't realize is how much timing is important to a lucid dream attempt, particularly with WILD. You really need to be sleepy, but if you're attempting it right when you first go to bed at night you're more likely to just miss out on valuable sleep, and few people can afford that. Sleeping a few hours before a WILD attempt allows you to get the restorative sleep you need and spend more time in the later REM cycles that provide the best chances of becoming lucid for a long time with good recall.

I would suggest trying MZZKC's guide (linked above). I've read it and MZZKC really understands what goes into the process of lucid dreaming. If you have any questions you can post in his thread or here in yours.

:)

While the advice already posted seems more than enough, I had a thought:

Echo, if you must scratch, or move your legs, then by all means scratch or move your legs.

Attempting to fight off your body's unavoidable functions is likely more distracting than just scratching quickly or letting those legs pump for a moment and getting back to work.

Holding still is a general rule, and a good one. But it's not a commandment ... sometimes you just gotta let the distractions happen, and move on.