How To Create a Lucid Dreaming Lifestyle

May 13th, 2007

This article is Part 3 in the series Mastering the Art of Lucid Dreaming.

The most important thing to keep in mind while learning lucid dreaming is that practice, patience, and persistence pay off. A daily practice is essential when first learning how to have conscious dreams.

The lucid dreaming techniques will gradually become second nature to you, but in the early stages it is vital to make a determined effort to perform the techniques several times throughout the day. Most of the techniques take only seconds to perform and can be done in any setting.

Eating right and maintaining a healthy sleep pattern are also very important. It is best to avoid caffeine, sugar, alcohol, and anything else that might interfere with your sleep pattern. If avoiding these substances is not possible, it is recommended that you avoid them in the afternoon and evening hours in order to allow your body time to fully process the substance prior to bedtime.

Creating a healthy sleep environment also can be beneficial. Arrange your sleeping environment in a way that discourages noise, distractions, and interruptions.

It also may be beneficial to maintain other habits that encourage lucid dreaming. Find a friend who is also interested in lucid dreaming and work through the techniques at the same time, discussing your observations each day, sharing dream details, and reporting results. This will keep the idea of conscious dreaming in the forefront of your mind every day. If you do not have a friend nearby who can act as a conscious dreaming partner, there are many discussion groups online where you may be able to find a partner or even an entire group of people willing to discuss dreams and lucid dreaming.

Create a time to discuss conscious dreaming with your family each day. Make it a daily routine to discuss your dreams of the previous night every morning at breakfast time or in the car on the way to school or work. Reporting your dreams each day will help to improve your dream recall.

If you are a parent, encourage conscious dreaming in your children by discussing their dreams with them each day. Tell them your own dreams, and suggest to them that they can influence their own dreams.

Read articles or books about conscious or lucid dreaming before bedtime in order to set the idea in your mind as you drift off to sleep.

Taking these extra steps will create an environment and lifestyle that encourages the onset of lucid dreams.

Stay tuned for Part 4 in the series.