Using Dreams to Enter Sleep
For many people the trickiest part is to go back to sleep if we happen to wake up in the middle of the night. We might have slept off our tiredness, at least enough to keep us awake for a while. At the same time, it's easy to panic about not being able to go back to sleep and by doing so, make things worse.
For these situations using a technique called dream re-entry can be quite useful. In this technique we re-enter one of our previous dreams to enable our minds to fall into the altered state that is the dream state.
Re-entering a remembered dream
The name dream re-entry may sound a lot more sophisticated than the technique really is. Dream re-entry is simply to bring back to memory a recent or past but remembered dream and consciously go back into that dream.
To be able to successfully re-enter dreams it is helpful if we remember a few details from the dream we are using. The more details the better.
In practice it may work like this: We bring up into awareness a dream we've once had and from which we remember a few details, the clearer the better.
We focus on these details and let them bring us into the dream. At this point the dream may unravel for us and we remember more and more details of the dream.
We continue to follow any new dream images that may come up, trying to go into them as fully as possible and make them as vivid as possible. Eventually, if we are successful, our minds will have entered a dream state and we will drift off to sleep.
Because it is easier to re-enter a dream that is fresh in mind this technique works best to make ourselves go back to sleep when we happen to wake up in the middle of the night. At this point we are just coming out of sleep, and should be somewhat tired, making it easier to go back into sleep mode.
Improving dream recall
As dream re-entry is dependent upon our ability to go back into and re-experience our dreams it will not work if we can't remember our dreams.
For some people dream recall comes naturally. They may remember a dream almost every night with varying degree of vividness. Others don't remember a single dream, ever.
No matter which category you belong to, the important thing to keep in mind is that we all dream, every night, and that our ability to remember dreams can be influenced.
There are a number of techniques to improve dream recall. The most important factor however is intention. If you have the clear intention to improve your dream recollection and you make some effort to do this, you will see results. If, on the other hand, you don't have that intention, any efforts you make will be without result.
Intention in this case means to make a decision that you are going to experience better dream recollection. Making this decision and working towards it will make it happen.
Keeping a dream journal
The most common method to improve dream recollection is to keep a dream journal. This journal will stay by your bed as you go to sleep, and as soon as you wake up you write down whatever you remember from your sleep. Any fragments of dreams, any person that comes to mind, situation, etc. Anything.
If you don't remember anything from a dream, write down feelings you may have, ideas that come to mind, or anything else you may feel inclined to write.
Just keeping a dream journal will solidify your intention to see results, and your mind will start paying closer attention to your dreams. Eventually you will remember more and more. The important thing is to be consistent in your efforts.
It is normally recommended that a person keeping a dream journal will write things down even when waking up in the middle of the night. Doing this might wake you up even more however, and if you are experiencing sleep problems you may want to avoid this and stick with writing things down in the morning.
If, on the other hand, you already are wide awake in the middle of the night, you might as well write down anything that comes to mind.
A good idea is to have the dream journal ready with a pen on top of it next to the bed and try to write down stuff in complete darkness while still being sleepy. This is a bit tricky and the things you jot down may not be completely readable at times but you keep yourself from waking up too much.
Stating your intention
As much about dream recall is about the intentions we set in our minds as we go to sleep, stating your intention to remember your dreams may go a long way to improve your dream recall. Even though it may seem as if the mind shuts off during sleep, this is not really true. Different aspects of the mind stay awake and are directed by intentions we may have set for ourselves while awake.
For instance, you may have noticed at times how you wake up one or two minutes before your alarm clock goes off. Obviously some part of our mind is awake and aware enough to keep track of time, and thus able to wake us up at the correct point.
To set your intention to remember your dreams, repeat out loud to yourself several times before going to sleep: "I will remember my dreams when I wake up".
This may not work the first time you try it but be persistent. Make sure you say this with a clear intention in mind, focussing on what you are saying.
Dream teas
Certain herbs can also be used, with good results, to enhance dream recollection. One notable herb is mugworth, which has traditionally been used to improve dream recollection and controll.
This herb can be used like a tea. One teaspoon in a cup of hot water before going to bed can be very helpful to improve dream recollection. ,
This herb contains a substance which is poisonous in high doses and with prolonged use. For this reason it is advisable to only use this tea for a few nights in a row. Pregnant women should not use this herb and people with physical health issues should consult a qualified health practicioner or doctor before taking this herb.