Recalling a Dream

A dream journal will do you little good if you can't remember any dreams to write in it.  It has been proven that all of us dream.  Many people mistakenly insist that they do not because they have no recollection of dreaming.

There are several common reasons why dreams are not remembered:

• Especially traumatic dreams from childhood may block adult recollection of dreams.
• We don't want to acknowledge unpleasant aspects of ourselves or experience painful dream feelings.
• Very deep sleepers often have problems remembering dreams. This is because it takes these people a long time to become fully awake, and our most productive dreaming is done just before waking up. By the time they are awake enough to remember a dream, they can't.

The Recall Checklist

• Keep a dream journal by your bed
• Record the daily information before going to bed (date, daily occurrences, etc.)
• Upon awakening, write whatever is on your mind
• Write even brief segments of dreams, This may trigger more recall
• Concentrate on your feelings upon awakening
• Move slowly into the dream position to re-trigger the dream
• If you must use an alarm, use the alarm, not the radio
• Set the alarm for the middle of the night. It may wake you during or after a dream
• Drink a lot of water before bed. This may wake you in the night during a dream
• Stay relaxed, patient, and persistent
• Take a midday nap. You may dream during it.
• Use your dream journal every day to let your mind know you want to remember

The Incubation Method For Better Recall

During the hypnogogic state, that suggestible time between wakefulness and sleep, tell yourself repeatedly "I will remember my dreams when I wake up."

Also try:

• Setting your alarm 30 - 60 minutes early to catch those important dreams during that productive early-morning dreaming period.
• If you awake sensing you just had a dream, but can't remember what it is, go back to the position you were in when you had the dream, relax and drift back into a dream-like state. Try to immerse yourself in the feelings and images you had when you first awoke.
• Call up images of the important people in your life one by one. One of them might have been in your dream and will, hence, trigger a memory.
• If you are drowsy and relaxed, but still can't remember that dream, invent one while in this close-to-the-unconscious state. The dream exercises will also work with the made-up dream.

If all of the above suggestions fail, stop trying for a while. Once you take the pressure to remember off yourself; you may be more successful. After a few weeks, try the incubation method again.