How To

How to Remember Dreams

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(20 Ratings)

We spend about 25 percent of our sleep time dreaming. But dreams all too often disappear as soon as we awaken, and we can't remember a thing.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  1. Step 1

    Relax before bed. Take a hot bath with aromatherapy soaps, drink herbal tea, listen to meditation tapes - whatever works best for you.

  2. Step 2

    Think about and write down important things on your mind. Write down subjects you also would like to dream about.

  3. Step 3

    Keep those items in mind when you get into bed but don't concentrate too hard. That might keep you awake.

  4. Step 4

    Tell yourself that you will remember your dream. Repeat "I will remember my dream" several times to yourself as you drift off to sleep.

  5. Step 5

    Wake up naturally, if possible, without an alarm clock. Try not to move until you can recall your dream from the night before.

  6. Step 6

    Record your dream before you get out of bed. Keep a journal and pen or tape recorder by your bedside for easy access.

Tips & Warnings
  • If you awaken in the middle of the night, write down your dream. You won't remember it by morning.
  • Avoid alcohol before you go to bed. It reduces your REM sleep time, the phase of sleep when you dream.
  • Get adequate sleep. You sleep very deeply when you're overtired; that makes remembering dreams less likely.
  • Take vitamin B-6 (50-200mg) about a half hour before you go to sleep. Your dreams will become more vivid, colorful and lucid. Also melatonin can produce more intense and meaningful dreams.

Comments  

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ecm1980 said

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on 5/1/2009 It is also possible to decide what you will dream by laying down and starting the dream yourself. Start it like a movie in your head...as you fall asleep, it will continue. At least, that is what works for me.

beyond said

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on 7/12/2008 We don't have to perform mild hypnosis just to remember dreams. Dreams are subconscious and our day lives are conscious. Communicating from conscious to subconscious is able to happen when take some of our subconscious into our conscious, such as being aware of our breathing, blinking, and general being. Think and record your dreams as much as possible immediately upon awakening, because this is when you are coming out of the subconscious state and entering conscious--the perfect time to communicate between the two.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 8/8/2006 While laying down prior to falling asleep, chant to yourself: "I will remember, I will remember, I will remember." Or say anything that you feel comfortable with that you think will help you remember. Do this until you fall asleep, and you probably will remember!

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 6/30/2006 Write down what you would like to dream about, then try to picture the scene or incident in your mind, and try to keep it in your mind as you drift off to sleep. Try, also, to keep the images moving, like slow motion in a movie. Think about how you want the dream to start, go and end, then visualize it. It makes your dreams more real, so you can remember them more easily.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 According to dream and sleep authorities, waking up in the middle of the night is crucial to remembering your dreams to the best of your ability. You can do this by either setting an alarm clock to awake you two hours after sleep, or drink lots of water before going to bed so that you wake up for bathroom breaks. Make sure to write down your dreams as soon as you wake up.

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