Have you ever woken up with a vivid dream, only to have it slip away within minutes? Most of us forget the majority of our dreams. Here’s a gentle look at why, and how you might remember a little more.
A night has stages
Sleep moves through several stages during the night, in cycles of roughly ninety minutes. Many of our most vivid dreams happen during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, which tends to become longer towards morning.
Why dreams fade
Researchers are still exploring why dreams are so easily forgotten. Some think the brain doesn’t fully store dream memories, especially if we don’t wake up during or right after a dream. Others suggest that forgetting may be a normal part of how the brain sorts information during sleep.
Whatever the reason, forgetting dreams is completely normal.
Remembering more of your dreams
If you’d like to remember more of your dreams, try:
- keeping a notebook by your bed;
- lying still for a moment when you wake, before reaching for your phone;
- writing down anything you remember, even a single image or feeling;
- reminding yourself before sleep that you’d like to remember your dreams.
Lucid dreaming
Some people experience lucid dreams, where they become aware they’re dreaming. Many find it fascinating. If you sometimes find it hard to tell dreams from waking life, it’s kinder to skip trying to have lucid dreams.
Sleep matters most
Remembering dreams is interesting, but restful sleep is what really matters. A regular bedtime, a dark room and a calm wind-down routine can help.
If sleep troubles or worrying changes in memory don’t settle, please get them looked at; your body deserves that care.
How little is enough
Tomorrow morning, before you move, lie still and notice whether any dream images are there. Write down one.
For more, read 6 fascinating facts about dreams.
If you’d like to keep going with this, you’ll find a few gentle guides on the Guides page.