Being Aware While Dreaming: 3 Urban Myths Dispelled

Many people are interested to learn more about being aware while dreaming. The most basic description of lucid dreaming is being conscious you are in a dream without waking up. However, there are many urban myths about this profound ability.

The first myth about being aware while dreaming is that, once you are conscious, you can control the dream.. In actuality, most dreamers find they can focus on manipulating some dream imagery, but complete control is impossible. A better way to think about control in lucid dreams is that you have more self-control, and have the power to make choices.

Another untrue story about being aware while dreaming is that you can die in real life if you die in the dream. Not true! In fact, whenever a dreamer feels too threatened in a lucid dream, he or she has the power to wake themselves up. Even if you do experience a dream “death,” you are safe in bed and will only experience a quicker heart rate, if anything.

The last myth I’ve heard about lucid dreaming is that they make you tired the next day because you were really “awake.” In actuality, the opposite is true. Indeed, many dreamers say they have more energy the next day. Don’t forget that a lucid dream is still a dream, so you are getting your zzzz’s.

So if any of these myths are preventing you from trying out lucid dreaming, now you know the truth.