Everyone has dreamed. In fact, the average human dreams 3-5 times every night, you know! Specifically, dreams occur when a person has entered the REM phase, which generally occurs 90 minutes after they fall asleep. To interpret a dream, the first step you need to do is try to remember the dream when you wake up. In addition to encouraging your brain to remember dreams, you can also try to minimize sensory input in the morning, and record your dreams in a special journal to interpret dreams in more detail.
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Method 1 of 2: Train the Brain
Step 1. Decide that you really want to remember the dream
Some people have greater difficulty remembering things, including their dreams. If you are one of them, try to convince yourself that you will remember the dream that came up just before bed. As silly as it sounds, actually this conscious step will send a signal to the brain to remember dreams better.
- Chances are, you will need to wait a few weeks to see results.
- In fact, the average person dreams 5 times a night if he sleeps for 8 hours on a regular basis.
Step 2. Don't set an alarm
If possible, do not set an alarm. To be able to remember dreams better, your body and mind must wake up right after going into REM, and sounding an alarm runs the risk of interrupting your sleep cycle at the wrong time. Also, if you move or hear noises after you wake up, chances are that the memory of the dream will disappear. After all, your body will automatically move to turn off the alarm that is too loud, right? Therefore, try not to set the alarm so that the body can wake up gradually without being triggered by any sensory input.
Step 3. Stop taking sleeping pills
In fact, poor quality sleep will actually help you remember the dreams that come up, especially since your body and mind will wake naturally several times during the night, which generally occurs after the REM phase. That is why, you should stop taking sleeping pills whose job is to improve sleep quality to make it easier for you to remember dreams.
Always talk to your doctor about wanting to stop taking medications, especially if they are prescribed by a doctor
Step 4. Drink as much water as possible
Another way to remember dreams is to drink about 4 glasses of water before bed. Why is that? Most likely, your bladder will be full at night due to high water intake before bed. As a result, sleep will be disturbed several times, generally shortly after experiencing the REM phase. This means that it will be easier for you to remember dreams that appear at that time.
Step 5. Don't drink alcohol
Alcohol has a tendency to prevent you from reaching the REM phase of sleep and therefore, risks delaying dreams. That is why, to increase the likelihood of dreaming, it is best to avoid alcohol consumption, especially at night.
Antidepressants can also have a similar effect to alcohol. However, don't forget to consult the doctor about the desire to stop taking antidepressants or change the type in order to increase the frequency of dreaming
Step 6. Reduce your sleep time
While getting enough rest is a crucial aspect of maintaining your health, research shows that sleep deprivation can actually help you remember dreams in more detail. In fact, your body will reach the REM phase more quickly after sleep deprivation, and have a greater potential for intense dreams.
Step 7. Try taking different foods or supplements
According to some people, eating certain types of food can increase the frequency and intensity of their dreams. Interested in doing it? Try taking 100 mg of vitamin B6 1-2 hours before bed to increase dream intensity, or eating foods rich in tryptophan such as chicken, turkey, soybeans, and tuna for the same benefits.
In addition to foods rich in tryptophan, you can also take a 5-HTP supplement a few hours before bedtime
Method 2 of 2: Recording Dreams
Step 1. Prepare a special book to record your dreams
Although you can use any book, you should prepare a special book that is only intended to record your dreams. That way, you won't be tempted to move the book from the side of the bed, right? In particular, choose books with attractive designs and can stimulate creativity so that your dreams can be inspired by them.
- The habit of recording dreams will help you to remember more of the images that occurred during your sleep and give the impression that you are dreaming more often.
- In fact, some theories believe that the human brain is simply not meant to remember everything that appears in dreams, especially since dreaming too much can make it difficult to distinguish between dreams and reality. Meanwhile, another theory states that the human brain actually stores information about dreams, but cannot be accessed by their minds.
- Most people tend to forget a lot of things in their dreams because they keep falling asleep. That's why you have to wake up in order to remember your dream, and chances are, the only image you will remember is the one that appeared just before you woke up. However, sometimes you also won't remember it because you start doing other activities right after you wake up.
Step 2. Prepare a notebook
Keep a notebook or dream journal at the side of your bed so you can easily access it when you wake up. Hold the book as soon as you open your eyes so that your dreams don't get lost in your busy schedule.
Step 3. Take some time to think
After waking up, don't move your body right away! Instead, take the time to think back on your dream. After the image of the dream is clear enough in your mind, move on to the next stage.
Step 4. Record the dreams that you have successfully clarified
Chances are, you will be tempted to go to the bathroom before writing down your dream. Unfortunately, your dreams will fade and slowly disappear during the activity. Therefore, immediately write down the first image that comes to mind when you open your eyes, and grab your book and pen.
- List the most important and primary information, such as the identity of the people who appeared in your dream, the important objects you saw in the dream, and the main events that colored the dream.
- If you wake up in the middle of the night after a dream, don't forget to jot down things you can remember in detail before going back to sleep.
Step 5. Record the things spoken in the dream
If someone says something in your dream, don't forget to write it down. Remember, the things that are spoken can be a very important aspect of interpreting the meaning of dreams, if later you are interested in doing so.
Step 6. Include detailed information
After successfully recording the main part in the dream, try to fill in the details that are still empty. Include as much information as you can remember, from the background of the year to the personal memories that appeared in your dreams.
Step 7. Focus on the emotions that arise
In fact, how you feel when you wake up is the most important element in a dream. Therefore, do not hesitate to record the emotions you feel along with the detailed information that colors the dream.
Step 8. Use a voice recorder
For those of you who don't like writing, try recording things that appear in your dreams using your cellphone or other voice recording device. Make sure the application is open in the morning so that it can be easier for you to access after waking up.
As with a written dream journal, you should record as much information as you can remember and do it as soon as you wake up. If you have trouble remembering the details, simply record the impressions, images, and general emotions surrounding the dream that you can remember. While recording, your brain is more likely to remember more information that appears in your dream
Step 9. Draw things that appear in your dreams
Another way to record dreams is to draw them in your daily journal. Since dreams are always colored by images, you may find it easier to remember them by drawing the images that come up instead of writing them down. Can't draw? Don't worry too much, as long as you can move the images that come up when dreaming on paper.
