Reality Check
Reality Check is a lucid dreaming technique: regularly asking 'Am I dreaming?' throughout the day to carry this habit into dreams. Tests like counting fingers or reading text are used.
Related Terms
Lucid Dream
A conscious dream state where the dreamer is aware they are dreaming and can sometimes direct the dream's flow. Studied from ancient Tibetan tradition to modern neuroscience.
Dream Journal
A notebook or digital record where dreams are recorded immediately upon waking. Increases dream recall capacity, facilitates identifying recurring themes, and is a fundamental exercise for lucid dreaming.
Sleep Cycle
A cycle of approximately 90 minutes consisting of NREM and REM stages, repeating 4-6 times per night. REM duration increases with each cycle, and dreams become more vivid.
Night Terror / Sleep Terror
A sleep disorder occurring during deep sleep, accompanied by intense fear, screaming, and sometimes sleepwalking. Usually not remembered. Folk traditions describe it as an entity pressing on the chest.
Dream Recall
The ability to consciously remember dream content after waking. Varies person to person; can be improved through dream journaling, intention setting, and sleep hygiene.
Nightmare
Bad dreams that evoke intense fear, anxiety, or terror, usually waking the person. They occur during REM sleep and are typically remembered in detail. Can be linked to stress, trauma, and medications.