In today’s post, I want to share some tips to help you have and recall vivid dreams and then introduce you to a few dream analysis techniques I use with my clients so you can begin to use unlock the messages of your own dreams.
So read on and start thinking about a recent dream you had that you’ve been eager to explore…
“The interpretation of dreams is the royal road to a knowledge of the unconscious activities of the mind.” – Sigmund Freud
Dreams are just dreams, right?
Nope. At least not according to how I work as a psychotherapist.
While different schools of thought believe that dreams exist for varied reasons, I personally believe that dreams are portals and entryways to our psyches and that some of the richest, most valuable information we need about situations in our waking lives can be found by exploring the content of your dreams.
“Dreams may contain ineluctable truths, philosophical pronouncements, illusions, wild fantasies, memories, plans, anticipations, irrational experiences, even telepathic vision, and heaven knows what besides.” – Carl Jung
But how do I remember my dreams? They always seem to slip away!
Dreams largely occur in the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep (though they may occur in other stages as well), and it varies from person to person how vividly the dream is experienced and recalled.
Whether you’re an Olympic-level dreamer or someone who maybe recalls only one or two dreams a year, if you want to boost your odds of having and recalling vivid dreams, I have some tips to help you:
To help set the stage for dreams, turn off screens an hour before bed.
- Refrain from alcohol, and make sure your bedroom environment is comfortably cool, dark, and quiet. We’re setting the stage here for restful sleep with these bedtime-hygiene habits. And increasing the odds of getting deep, restful sleep – the fertile ground for dream time.
Set an intention with your unconscious.
- I know it sounds corny, but give it a shot. As you’re laying in bed at night, after the lights have been turned off and you’ve said goodnight to your honey. Say silently to yourself something along the lines of this. “Tonight I will experience a vivid dream about [insert situation in your life you would like more information about]. And I’ll remember this dream when I wake up.” I believe strongly in the power of intentions whether awake or asleep. And, in my own experience, asking my subconscious for a dream about XYZ has been powerful. Try it.
Then, when you first wake up, stay in bed and try to mentally review the dream.
- Those first few hazy, sleepy moments are an important time for mentally reviewing and cementing the dream within your waking mind.
