DREAM RECALL TECHNIQUES

By: Patricia Darrow, Astrologer

darrowmp@verizon.net

In a typical week we dream an average of thirty dreams. Then why is it some people report dream recall in great detail and with regularity, while others maintain they never dream?

A major factor affecting dream recall relates to how we wake up. Have you ever noticed when you waken on the weekends or at your leisure, dream recall is more predominant? During the workweek we’re concerned with turning off the alarm and getting into our morning routine.

Dreams are best recalled before the body regains its physical equilibrium. According to laboratory tests, it appears we lie motionless while watching our “dream movie” and then turn over or shift positions at the end or beginning of another episode. An effort to remember the first thought that enters your mind may spark the memory, or an incident during the day may throw light on the dream itself, regardless of however trivial. The more clearly it is impressed on the mind, the more effective it will be.

The following are steps you can take to strengthen your skills:

- Don’t awaken too abruptly. Lie in a passive and relaxed state with your eyes closed for a few moments.

- Use aids to record your dreams, either a pad of paper and pen or a tape recorder. Write or record anything you think or feel.

- Pre-sleep intention; motivate yourself to remember your dreams.

- Discuss your dreams with others.

- Set your alarm to awaken a half-hour early.

- Half into your sleep cycle set your alarm to go off.

- Re-live the dream in reverse. Often you will recall the end of the dream first.

Two personality traits have been associated with dream recall. One trait they share is a high level of anxiety, and the other is the ability to pay more attention to their inner feelings and responses. Another study indicates that light sleepers were found to differ from deep sleepers in that they reported dreams even when awakened from non REM stages. The REM or rapid eye movement stage is the time when subjects report their dreams.