Stress and Dream Recall

[suorkaterina]

I have been under some serious stress lately, enough to effect my heart rate. I have also been losing dream recall. Is it possible that stress can sabotage dream recall? Has anybody else had this problem?

[Tsen]

Definitely. Stress is a main factor, and in a stressful lifestyle its pretty normal to stop remembering most or all of your dreams. My advice is to just let things cool off a bit before worrying too much about dreams. I love LDing and all, but honestly it isn't as important as your overall health, so don't stress out about losing dream recall until everything's blown over in waking life.

[cocoastar]

Yeah, it is definately a factor. If I am preoccupied with other things, stressed out, or even sick, I don't remember my dreams...or else I just remember bits and pieces or even just a feeling that I had in my dream. I like to listen to relaxing music or do something relaxing before going to bed. It helps clear my mind.

[Tornado Joe]

I agree with stress effecting dream recal. If you think about it, stress effects many things - even dreams themselves, obviously. Katerina, what is it that is stressing you so much lately? Is it more related to being very busy or is it people in your life that are stressing you out? I ask with no intention of being nosy, it's just that if it is a matter of you being very busy and having many things to do, your recall may be suffering simply because you are pre-occupied with matters from the minute you wake up. When you awaken in the morning you need time to go over and recall the dream you were having at the time you woke up. If it is due to stressful people in your life, then that is something deeper that you are carrying with you into your sleep. You will have to try perhaps some simple meditation as you lie in bed before sleep. Try to get your mind to think of absolutely nothing - just void. Sounds simple, but it is actually difficult as your mind will get very easily bored and try to fill your head with thoughts. Good luck Kat - I hope you're relieved of some of this stress soon.

[wasup]

Yep... this can be terrible for dream recall (nobody reads the tutorials nowadays ... I posted about it in my dream recall tut ). As I said in it... meditation is great or maybe even hypnosis to clear stress. For reducing stress from school - Do homework early, study a somewhat good amount for tests (at least this helps for me because I don't feel worried about tests), and go to sleep early. Identify the direct source of the stress and fix it or prevent it. Also, make some time for yourself and do something that you enjoy. Maybe drink some tea (or milk, or coke, whatever's your thing) and listen to some music while browsing the net before going to sleep (this is always nice).

[Burns]

Originally posted by ataraxis meditation is great or maybe even hypnosis to clear stress. Ataraxis, do you meditate? And if so, can you give me some pointers on how you do it? I always end up falling asleep. Maybe I need to put myself in a different position or something...

[Alex D]

Ah yes, stress. My mortal enemy. Sadly stress has thrown my recall down the crapper lately, so I think I might follow ataraxis' advice here.