Control your dreams with a modern form of self-hypnosis
If you suffer frequently from bad dreams then you may be interested to know that scientists believe they can ease these night terrors with a modern version of self hypnosis.
According to ‘Twenty-four Hour Mind’ by Rosalind Cartwright, a pioneer in sleep research, even the worst nightmares can be helped. Very few people have the ability to control their own dreams but Cartwright says dreamers can learn to ”guide” them.
Cartwright explains that during our ”downtime” of sleep our brain neurons randomly refire images and emotions from throughout the day but jumbles them up and puts them into dreams. In reaction the brain naturally tries to protect us from this effect by releasing chemicals which stop the worst of our nightmares.
At dream clinics those who suffer from nightmares are taught what is known as ”lucid dreaming”, this is essentially learning how to become aware whilst in the midst of a dream so that we can control the narrative.
Shelby Harris leads a behavioural sleep program clinic and helps individuals to overcome nightmares using the above technique among others. She helps sufferers to write ”scripts” by focusing on certain images which appear in reoccurring dreams and helps them to take control of what follows in a manner of self-hypnosis.
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August 16th, 2010 at 10:40 am
Indeed, Lucid dreaming is a powerful method to ‘program’ our dreams. This way to recall dreams has been amply described in ‘Lucid Dreaming’ book from the American Stephen LaBerge.
This techique requires some preparation: during the day, before going to sleep and after a nocturnal awakening (often triggered by a dream).
Basically, during the day we undertake the following tasks:
– Testing reality.
– Work on the principle that next time you have a dream, you will know that is a dream.
Before going to sleep:
– Use of relaxation techniques such as Yoga or progressive relaxation method.
– Let go of any worries or precoccupations.
– Breathe deeply, allowing the daily concerns to drift away… leaving a sense fo peace.
– Remember an old dream and notice any unusual aspects of it: for example if you dream of
a speaking animal.. teach yourself to comment: ” animals do not speak!”.
Therefore, I must be dreaming.
Next time I shall have a dream, I will become aware of fact that I am dreaming.
Nocturnal exercises consist of:
– When you become aware that you are dreaming, stay still for a while. This helps in
recalling the dream.
– Allow yourself to become fully awake.
– Memorise every possible details of the dream.
– Swtich ‘on’ the light and start reading for about 10 minutes, just to make sure you are
fully awake.
– Decide when you want to get back to sleep and program the following:
” next time I shall be dreaming, I shall become conscious of it”
– Then, visualise your body relaxing. Imagine you are dreaming and being fully aware
that you are dreaming.
The more you practice, the easier it will become.
This exercise is a great way to sychronise right/left brains which results in positive outcomes.
Catherine Vander Cammen is a Clinical Hypnotherapist who has been working with all aspects of dreaming for many years. She can be contacted via the hypnotherapy-directory.org.uk