Lucid dreaming is something most people experience at least once in their lives. To lucid dream on a consistent basis, however, is an art reserved for a special few.
Lucid dreaming has latterly been popularized by movies such as Inception.
You too can learn how to lucid dream, but it takes practice. Today, it’s estimated that only 20% of people have mastered lucid dreaming.
When lucid dreaming occurs :
When you sleep, your brain cycles through rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-REM sleep.
Non-REM sleep includes three separate stages. During non-REM, your brain waves, heartbeat, and eye movements gradually slow down.
In REM sleep, your brain is extremely active. Your heart rate and eye movements also increase.
Lucid dreaming, like most dreams, usually happens during REM sleep.
In a lucid dream, you know that you’re dreaming. You’re aware of your awareness during the dream state.
About 55 percent of people have experienced one or more lucid dreams in their lifetime. However, frequent lucid dreaming is rare. Only 23 percent of people have lucid dreams at least once a month.
How to lucid dream :
Lucid dreaming takes time and practice to learn. By regularly practicing the following techniques, you can train your brain to lucid dream :
1. Make your bedroom hospitable to dreaming.
2. Keep a dream journal.
3. Recognize your dream signs.
4. Perform reality checks.
6. Try going back to sleep.
7. Induce sleep paralysis.
8. Use the Wake Back to Bed technique.
9. Take up video gaming.
10. Try to keep your dream going.