Lucid Dreams: Benefits & How To Have Them

Have you ever had a dream that you remember clearly? It feels like you know that you are dreaming and you know what you’re dreaming about. Sometimes you’re so aware of your dream that even if you wake up in the middle of the dream, upon falling back asleep your dream continues.

Has it ever happened to you? Such dreams are called lucid dreams. Did you know that lucid dreams are being studied for over 20 years now?

Many researchers have discussed the causes and benefits of lucid dreams but Dr. Stephen LaBerge brought it into the limelight. In fact, he has also given some useful techniques to have lucid dreams on purpose.

Dreams tell a lot about your unconscious and subconscious thoughts and concerns. If one is able to recall or remember their dreams, one can use that information to understand your thoughts and feelings. Lucid dreams give you the opportunity to interpret and understand the meaning of your dreams.

Let’s explore Lucid dreams today and learn how you can have lucid dreams…

What Are Lucid Dreams?

Lucid Dreams are those dreams that you are completely aware of. In some cases, you can also control what happens in your lucid dreams. It’s like you’re physically asleep but consciously awake. Perhaps that’s why you can recall lucid dreams so vividly.

Lucid dreams usually happen when you’re having REM ( rapid eye movement) sleep. This is because that’s the dreaming stage of sleep. Almost all dreams occur during this stage only. Experts claim that lucid dreams occur spontaneously but one can train themselves to have a lucid dream.

In a study, it was found that on average almost 60% of people experience lucid dreams one or more times. So, there are high chances you’ve already experienced a lucid dream or you might have one soon. If you want it sooner, you can always try to learn techniques to have lucid dreams.

How To Train Yourself To Have Lucid Dreams?

As we discussed earlier, researchers have been studying lucid dreams for over 20 years now. They also stress the fact that even though it is a natural phenomenon, you can train yourself to have a lucid dream.

Let’s look at some researchers’ approved lucid dreaming techniques;

1. Do Reality testing:

in reality testing, you have to test whether you are dreaming or not. It is a good way to know if you’re in a lucid dream. All you have to do is ask yourself to do something that is not possible to do in a dream. Example: read a book, pinch your hand, etc.

2. Have a dream diary:

in a dream diary, you’re supposed to write down any dream that you remember or details about the dream you remember. This will allow you to focus on what you have been dreaming about and trigger lucid dreaming.

3. Wake back to bed (WBTB):

Wake back to bed (WBTB) is a technique that requires you to wake up 5 hours after you’ve slept, be awake for some time, and go back to sleep. This helps in being conscious during your REM sleep.

4. Mnemonic induction of lucid dreams (MILD):

MILD requires you to use prospective memory (the act of recalling things you need to do in the future). Do the same procedure as WBTB but right before you fall back asleep, repeatedly tell yourself that you’ll be aware that you’re dreaming.

Benefits Of Having Lucid Dreams

Research has found many benefits of lucid dreaming. Most mental health experts believe that lucid dreaming has therapeutic benefits. In fact, it is said to play an important role in treating mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder.

Let’s look at the various benefits of lucid dreams;

• Helps you in overcoming nightmares
• They help in understanding and reducing anxiety
• Lucid dreaming helps you enhance your motor skills
• Helps in identifying hidden triggers
• Helps you understand your true emotions and feelings
• Identifies your core beliefs
• Helps in recognizing your fears and insecurities

Baring these, lucid dreams have proven to play an important tool in treating people with mental health conditions like;

• post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• sleep disturbances like insomnia
• anxiety
• depression
• stress
• substance use

Like any other thing, lucid dreaming can also have negative consequences. Let’s have a look at things you need to be cautious about while practicing lucid dreaming;

• Sleep paralysis
• Sleep-related problems
• Depression
• Derealization

That’s All Folks!

I hope you found this blog about lucid dreams and how can you have lucid dreams helpful, interesting, and informative. Do share this blog with your friends and family so that we can have a complete awareness of what lucid dreams are and what dangers and benefits lucid dreams possess.

Thanks for reading.

Take care and stay safe.