Awaken in Dreams: Your Complete Step-by-Step Guide to the Best Lucid Dreaming!

You can learn from your dream experiences just as much as you can from your waking experiences. Lucid dreaming is a vivid dream where you, the dreamer, can control your actions. A great deal of research is being conducted on lucid dreaming and psychologists and psychiatrists are recommending lucid dreaming as a tool for self-exploration.

Are you wondering how to get into the lucid dream state? Do you want to know whether you are lucidly dreaming? Are lucid dreams beneficial?

If you have these questions, read on; we have all the answers for you.

Table of Contents

What Usually Happens in Lucid Dreaming?

To explain what happens in a lucid dream, let us take into account what some dreamers have said about their dreams:

“Someone was haunting me, chasing me. Then I realised that it was a dream and made that person disappear. I took back control”.

“I was playing soccer with my friends. Suddenly, I looked down and saw that my legs were completely distorted. I realised I was dreaming since those legs did not look like mine. The next thing I knew, I was playing in this giant soccer stadium with my favourite soccer team and I was running faster and scoring goals way better than I ever would in my waking life”.

“Fantastic as it may sound, I was in full possession of my facilities. I could think as clearly as ever. I could even freely remember all the details of my waking life. I could act deliberately upon conscious reflection. And none of this diminished the vividness of my dream. As paradoxical as it may sound, I was fully awake in my dream”.

The above experiences clearly describe a lucid dream. In a lucid dream, you can control your actions- just like directing a movie! The active components of a lucid dream are:

Observing something unusual in the dream (e.g. dinosaurs, distorted legs, etc.)
Critically reflecting on and analysing the experience (your brain tells you in the dream that dinosaurs are extinct, or those are not your legs)
Concluding that the most likely explanation here is “This must be a dream”.

Four Stages of Lucid Dreaming

Expert lucid dreamers state that these dreams have four stages or levels.

Level 1 – know you are dreaming
Level 2 – be able to control the dream in a wake-like fashion
Level 3 – be able to manipulate the dream surroundings
Level 4 – be able to manipulate people and their actions in lucid dreams.

Is it OK to Have Lucid Dreams? Are Lucid Dreams Good or Bad?

Lucid dreams can provide a blissful sensation and can give you lasting joy even in your waking life. Many lucid dreamers describe their dreams as “orgasms” that give them happiness in their waking lives for weeks to come. Lucid dreams can help us add more consciousness to our lives. By waking up in our dreams, we can awaken in our lives.

It is wonderful to have lucid dreams because they can make you feel empowered. You can fly like Superman or perform magic like Harry Potter. You become free from all your waking-state limitations.

Lucid dreams also let you interact with dream figures and solve problems. Some scientists have been able to conduct experiments and research in their waking lives based on their lucid dreams. Many sportspeople have improved their waking life skills through their dreams.

Benefits of Lucid Dreaming

According to WebMD, here are some benefits of lucid dreams:

As mentioned above, you can reduce your anxiety by controlling your dreams. You can consciously decide what actions to perform. Many people have used their lucid dreams as therapy to overcome phobias and anxiety attacks.
Some limited research has shown improvement in fine motor skills with lucid dreaming. Your brain learns to do certain things faster and better when you do them in your dreams.
Many waking-life problems can be solved through vivid dreams – including scientific and mathematical problems.
Lucid dreams can help artistic people improve their skills and art in real life.

Are Lucid Dreamers More Intelligent?

More scientific studies are required to ascertain the fact that lucid dreamers are more skilled and smart than people who do not have lucid dreams. However, as stated earlier, many lucid dreamers have improved their waking lives tremendously. Some scientists have also used their lucid dreams to solve problems. Some preliminary studies have also shown that lucid dreamers are more analytical, focused, and attentive and have better problem-solving abilities.

Let’s now take a look at how to have lucid dreams.

Step By Step Guide – How Do I Go in a Lucid Dream State?

Step 1 – Read Up All You Can About Lucid Dreams

Many people have experienced a lucid dreaming state just by reading all they can about it. By simply knowing the benefits of lucid dreaming and understanding how lucid dreaming can benefit you in waking life, your brain and subconscious mind will be “encouraged” to have lucid dreams. This guide is just a start, but we also encourage you to read books and scientific articles on this topic.

Step 2 – Reality Check – Am I Dreaming Now?

This may sound like a silly way to get lucid dreams but it works. Take a look around your room – become aware of all the things in it. Take a look at the clothes you’re wearing. Feel the texture of the material. Take a look at your hands. They look normal now but in a lucid dream, they may appear distorted or odd.

Testing your reality during the day will also help you test your reality at night when dreams occur. By knowing you’re dreaming, you will be lucid and in control of your dream.

Conduct these reality checks several times a day. This will trigger a dream about a reality check, which will show you the difference between wakefulness and sleep and help you become aware you’re dreaming.

One of the simplest reality check tests is to pass your index finger of one hand through the palm of the other hand. In wakefulness, your finger will naturally meet with resistance and you can also become aware of the texture and that resistance to understand the fact that “Oh, I must be awake”. In a dream, your finger will probably pass through the palm of your hand.

And when that occurs, you will know you’re dreaming.

We recommend doing these reality checks at least 5-6 times a day for 5 days. This should trigger a lucid dream by the fifth day. It is also important that you actively expect your finger to go through your palm every time you conduct the reality check test. Each time your finger does not go through your palm, you can conclude – I am awake.

This is very important because if you do not expect your finger to go through the palm, there is a chance that, in your dream, you might wrongly assume you are awake.

In addition to the finger reality check test, you can also use the following reality checks:

Completely block your nose with your fingers. Try breathing this way. Since you cannot breathe fully and deeply, you will know you are awake. This can help trigger lucid dreams about being able to breathe underwater.
Look at your watch, then look away, then back at the water. Is the time the same? In a dream, the time will never be the same and the clock hands may move randomly.

Step 2 – Try Recalling Your Dreams

Recalling your dreams can increase your ability to lucidly enter the dream state. Here are some tips that can help with dream recall:

Record your dreams – you can keep a dream journal to recall dreams and also encourage dream recall.
Before sleeping, set an intention to recall the dream. You can repeat in your mind some sentences like ‘I will lucid dream tonight’ or “I will recall my dreams easily ‘, ‘The next time I dream, I will remember my dream’. This simple suggestion to your subconscious mind can make it more receptive to recalling dreams.
Avoid waking up with an alarm. Try to wake up naturally, as that helps your ability to recall your dreams.
Try remembering the small details. You can wake up and think of the colours, sounds, etc. in the dream. This will help strengthen future dreams and train your mind to recall them.
Relax before bedtime – avoid watching anything stimulating before you go to sleep. Instead, try some relaxation techniques, such as breathing, meditation, etc.

Step 3 – Create a Sleep Environment That Promotes Lucid Dreaming

Here are the steps to create a favourable sleep environment to promote lucid dream states:

Change your bedtime habits – avoid alcohol/caffeine before bed. Also, avoid heavy meals at least 2 hours before bed. Try to wake up and sleep at the same time. It is important to get adequate REM sleep.
Keep a journal for your thoughts– this will help you de-stress before bed.
Exercise – try some light exercise like walking or running during the day for at least 30-45 minutes.
Avoid naps during the daytime – these can interfere with your nighttime sleep.
Practise relaxation techniques – guided imagery, listening to chants or soothing music, yoga, meditation, breathing, etc.

Step 4 – Try Herbal Remedies

You can incorporate some herbs into your routine to induce a lucid dream state. There are many ways in which you can use these herbs – tea, incense sticks, applying them to skin or pillows, or in your bath.

Here are some herbs that can help:

Mugwort – try having mugwort tea or tincture before bed. You can also spray it on your pillow. Mugwort helps with dream recall and also increases the frequency and clarity of your dreams.
Camomile – this sleep-time herb promotes relaxation, reduces stress, and fights insomnia. Try camomile tea before bed or spray its tincture on your pulse points and pillows.
Lavender – this versatile herb can relax and de-stress you at the end of the day. Try soaking in a bath infused with lavender essential oil or using it as a foot rub. You can also spray this relaxing aroma around your room. You can also take lavender flower essence orally.
Yarrow – this powerful herb can aid in astral travel and also stimulate prophetic dreams. Yarrow is available in the form of teas, tinctures, and floral essence remedies.

Step 5 – Meditate

Pre-bedtime meditation can also stimulate lucid dreams. Establish a regular meditation practice before bed. This will help you relax and unwind after a long day. It can also reduce the clutter of your thoughts and help you sleep more restfully.

There are several different meditation techniques.

The simplest is closing your eyes and focusing on the incoming breath and the outgoing breath.
You can also use some rosary beads or chant ‘Om’ or some other spiritual word. Repeating the chant will help your mind relax.
Movement meditation is another technique. Tai chi, yoga, etc. are some great methods of movement meditation where your mind focuses entirely on the repetitive guided movement.

Step 6 – Try the WBTB (Wake Back To Bed) Method

This method has helped many people have lucid dreams effortlessly. In this technique, you set an alarm to wake up after 5 hours of sleep. Then, once you wake up, you listen to some binaural beats, solfeggio frequencies, or “om chant”. These sounds stimulate brain waves and let your brain enter theta state. This helps relax your body and mind and when you fall back asleep, you are more likely to remember your dreams.

Going into a Lucid Dream

A lucid dream is a dream state where you are aware you are dreaming. It is a beautiful experience and you can stimulate lucid dreams using the steps given above. Keeping a dream journal, conducting reality checks several times a day, meditating, and using certain herbs can help induce lucid dreams. You can also set an alarm, get up for a while, and then go back to sleep while your body is still full of sleep hormones. This, too, can trigger lucid dreaming. Good luck!

Lucid Dreaming FAQ’s

What is Lucid Dreaming?
- Lucid dreaming is when you become aware that you are dreaming, allowing you to consciously navigate and control the dream.
How Can I Achieve Lucid Dreaming?
- Practices like reality checks, dream journaling, and meditation can enhance your chances of experiencing lucid dreams.
Are Reality Checks Effective for Lucid Dreaming?
- Yes, reality checks, like trying to push your finger through your palm, help you question your reality and trigger lucidity in dreams.
What Role Does Dream Journaling Play in Lucid Dreaming?
- Keeping a dream journal helps you recognize dream patterns, themes, and triggers, improving your self-awareness during dreams.
Can Meditation Aid in Lucid Dream Induction?
- Yes, mindfulness meditation promotes self-awareness, making it a valuable tool for those seeking lucid dreams.
Are There Techniques for Inducing Lucid Dreams?
- Techniques like Mnemonic Induction of Lucid Dreams (MILD) and Wake-Back-to-Bed (WBTB) can increase your chances of lucid dreaming.
How Can Sleep Hygiene Impact Lucid Dreaming?
- Consistent sleep patterns, sufficient sleep duration, and a comfortable sleep environment positively influence dream recall and lucid dreaming.
Is Sleep Paralysis Common During Lucid Dreaming?
- Sleep paralysis can occur during the transition between wakefulness and REM sleep, but it’s not a direct result of lucid dreaming.
Can Lucid Dreaming Have Therapeutic Benefits?
- Some studies suggest that lucid dreaming may offer therapeutic benefits, such as reducing nightmares and improving emotional well-being.
Are There Risks Associated With Lucid Dreaming?

Lucid dreaming is generally safe, but individuals with certain mental health conditions should approach it cautiously. Always prioritize mental well-being.