How to Lucid Dream More Often (And Control Your Dreams

lucid dreaming face in a colorful sky

Lucid dreaming is the ability to become aware that you are dreaming while still in the dream state. It allows you to take control of your dreams and experience them in a more conscious and intentional way. Many people find that lucid dreaming can be a fun and fulfilling experience. It has also been suggested that it can have a number of potential benefits, such as improving problem-solving skills, increasing creativity, and reducing the frequency of nightmares as summarized by psychophysiologist Stephen LaBerge in his book Lucid Dreaming.

 

If you're interested in trying lucid dreaming for yourself, here are some tips to get you started:

writing in journal
  1. Keep a dream journal: One of the best ways to increase your chances of having a lucid dream is to start keeping track of your dreams. This can help you become more aware of your dream patterns and become more familiar with the content of your dreams. To keep a dream journal, simply write down any details you can remember about your dreams as soon as you wake up.

  2. Set an intention to become lucid: Before you go to sleep, try setting an intention to become aware that you are dreaming. This can be as simple as telling yourself "I will become aware that I am dreaming" or setting an alarm to go off during the night and reminding yourself to become lucid when you wake up.

  3. Reality check: One common technique for inducing lucid dreams is to perform reality checks throughout the day. A reality check is simply a way of checking whether you are awake or dreaming by looking for certain cues that are usually different in the dream state. For example, you might try looking at your hands and counting your fingers or looking at a clock and seeing if the time changes. By performing reality checks regularly, you can train yourself to become more aware of the dream state.

  4. Use dream induction techniques: There are a number of techniques that can help you induce a lucid dream, such as the "wake back to bed" method or the "mnemonic induction of lucid dreams". These techniques involve waking up after a few hours of sleep and then trying to fall back asleep while actively focusing on becoming lucid.

    woman meditating
  5. Practice meditation: Meditation has been shown to improve dream recall and increase the frequency of lucid dreams. By incorporating meditation into your daily routine, you may be more likely to have a lucid dream.

  6. Lucid dreaming hypnosis videos: There are plenty of lucid dream-inducing hypnosis videos online that you can listen to at bedtime in order to prepare your mind for awareness during sleep. The hypnotist will usually walk you through some mildly physical exercises you can perform while lying down combined with breathing and mental exercises that prime your mind for lucid dreaming.

    mugwort
  7. Dream-activating aromas: Certain aromas can prime you for the dream world. One such aroma comes from the herb mugwort. Mugwort has been anecdotally linked to an increased ability to recall dreams, heightened awareness during sleep, and the development of psychic abilities during sleep. Slide a sachet that has mugwort in it, like our Hoppy Dreams herbal sachet, into your pillow at night or set it on your nightstand to help activate lucid dreaming.

It's important to keep in mind that lucid dreaming is a skill that takes time and practice to develop. Don't get discouraged if you don't have a lucid dream right away – it can take some time to get the hang of it. With patience and persistence, you can learn to control your dreams and have a more fulfilling sleep experience.