More people are embracing lucid dreaming and doing all they can to achieve it. However, in their quest to achieve the perfect lucid dreaming experience they make a lot of mistakes.
These mistakes might seem obvious to the experienced lucid dreamer but for the novice who can’t recognize them for what they are, they can be quite a time-wasting and prevent them from truly experiencing actual lucid dreaming.
However, it isn’t hopeless because as a novice lucid dreamer, you can find out what these mistakes are and avoid them when you embark on your lucid dreaming journey.
Some of the common mistakes that people make when they are venturing into lucid dreaming along with what to do instead are as follows:
Failure to do enough reality checks.
Every lucid dreamer should understand the importance of reality checks. This enables dreamers to know without a doubt whether they are dreaming or not.
It is also important that while doing the reality checks, ask yourself if you are dreaming to avoid the common mistake of simply pushing your finger through your hand. Every reality check has to be combined with that important question which is, “am I dreaming?”
The real answer should then come from what you feel after your reality check. Doing the question and forgetting the reality check or vice versa is a mistake.
This is because you can’t do one without the other because they can’t exist apart, just like two sides of the same coin.
The key is practicing your reality checks as much as possible and always using the question until they become a single thing. When you do this enough times it will be easier for you when you are lucid dreaming.
Poor Sleeping Habits
Sleep is vital for lucid dreams. When you are not sleeping properly the chances that your overall health will be affected are quite high.
A healthy sleep cycle should be maintained to prevent your dreams from being affected. Remember that your natural sleep cycle will rely heavily on light and darkness.
The body naturally gets tired in the evening and craves rest when night comes, then soon as it is dawn, it begins waking up.
Adopt a healthy sleep pattern with enough rest and stick to it. Make sure you get at least eight hours of sleep every day.
If you go to bed at 9 pm every day, for example, let that be your bedtime and stick to it, then set an alarm for the time you wake up.
With a regular and healthy sleep cycle, you will increase the chances of experiencing higher quality lucid dreams.
If you happen to have insomnia consider seeking treatment options for that first, then after you are well, you can embark on your journey of lucid dreaming.
Overthinking and stressing about it
Yes, you want to experience lucid dreaming but it shouldn’t be the cause of stress in your life. Remember quality sleep does not happen if you have a lot on your mind or if you are restless.
If you are tired you will likely pass out and sleep with no memory of your dreams. Just keep in mind that lucid dreaming will sometimes happen and in other instances, it will not.
So just be keep an open mind and do not be stressed when it doesn’t happen even when you have done all the right things.
Just relax because lucid dreaming is not exact science and it could fail to happen for any reason. Wanting instant results is unreasonable and it will take time to perfect from a few weeks to months.
Not Keeping a dream journal
To effectively control your dreams, you have to keep a dream journal. You have to write your dreams down in some kind of diary so that you can remember them.
When we say write it means write it as it happened. Not just scribble something like “dream about being upcountry” or “giving birth”.
Such statements are not enough because you can forget them. Your account of the dream has to feature every memory of the dream along with your thoughts about it. It has to be a detailed entry or it won’t be helpful.
Keep in mind that the main purpose of keeping a diary is to help you identify the common themes and recurring dreams.
If you write vague entries this purpose will not be fulfilled. Therefore as soon as you wake up, grab that journal and indicate what you remember before you forget.
Not Meditating Or Relaxing Properly.
Being relaxed is very helpful because it is what makes you sleep well and dream. It is impossible to fall asleep if you have many thoughts in your head.
This is why you need to clear your mind of any internal voices and avoid replaying any events that have happened during the day.
You could try various meditation techniques to help you relax and you could also listen to soft music that will help your brain go into a deeply relaxed state.
Rushing It
Many people wish to experience lucid dreaming as soon as they begin but that rarely happens. It usually takes a lot of time and practice for you to achieve it.
Learning the techniques that work on you and those that don’t is very important. You will need lots of practice and repetition just like the way you would when you need to acquire any other skill.
Don’t expect it to work on the first, second, or even third trial. You will need several trials before you finally experience lucid dreaming.
When you expect it to happen soon you will be disappointed quickly even before you are halfway there. Besides, there is no reason to rush, so be patient and keep trying.
Getting Over Excited When It Finally Happens And Waking Up
Lucid dreaming can be exciting because you can experience things that you have never dreamed of before. When you finally become aware that you are dreaming, don’t start shouting in your dream that you are dreaming.
If you start shouting and saying it is a dream, then it is going to disappear and you will wake up. Too much excitement will also increase your heart rate and breathing causing your real body to react and wake up.
You are likely to wake yourself because of excitement the first time it happens but learn from that experience and next time try to remain calm and stay longer in the dream.
You can use the “cinema technique” where you stay focused but avoid getting too involved in the dream and waking up. That way you will prevent leaving the dream too early.
Those are the common mistakes done during lucid dreaming and for that reason, they should be noted and avoided if you want your lucid dream experience to be long and fruitful.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article !