Dreams Part 2: How Can I Better Remember My Dreams?

This article is the second part of our exclusive series on dreaming. To read Part One, click here.

It’s not uncommon to remember the details of a dream soon after having it. You may be able to clearly see the scope of the events and feel your response to it.

Unfortunately, if a dream exists in our short-term memory, it can vanish as quickly as it appeared. We often remember the most recent dream we had while sleeping. Without much attention, it’s usually gone in just a few minutes.

One step we can take in attempting to better recall our dreams is by actively participating in them. We’ll dive into this concept later. 

A Dream Remembered

As avid dreamers, we love reviewing dream scenes and discovering what they might mean. At nine years old, one of our staffers remembered dreaming of an angry cat with bright red fur. Every time he tried to touch the cat, it shocked him with a lightning bolt of electricity. He loved cats but hated the dream, so he told himself to wake up. And he did.

Why does he remember this brief dream from childhood so vividly, but has forgotten so many thousands of dreams since? Some experts believe it isn’t about remembering. It’s about waking up at the right time.

The following are two methods to assist in remembering dreams.

Method 1:

The key to remembering dreams is recalling them as soon as possible. After dreaming about the electric cat as a boy, our staffer told his mother about it. He later shared it with a friend. Describing the dream accurately transferred it to his long-term memory.

When you speak vocally about a dream immediately after having it, either to yourself or someone else, the dream is validated and easier to remember later. It is not as effective to simply think about the dream. You must describe the dream out loud.

Method 2:

Have you ever noticed that when you write something down, it tends to stick with you? This is very true for dreams. When you awake and realize you’ve been dreaming, take a moment to relive it. Some say you should even keep your eyes closed to avoid distractions during recall.

Then, write a summary of the dream in a journal. Your dream journal can be a simple notebook or scratch pad. The description doesn’t have to be more than a few sentences but can be as detailed as you’d like. For example, a condensed description might look like this:

“Running through a tunnel. Realized I was on railroad tracks with a train chasing me. Just before the end of the tunnel, the train hit me and I woke up.”

Writing a quick summary like this might be enough to trigger the full memory of the dream and place it forever in your consciousness. You’ll then be able to revisit the journal anytime to explore your dreams and learn their meanings.

Relax To Remember

Keep in mind that not everyone remembers their dreams well. Sleep disorders and medications can also affect the recollection of dreams, so don’t stress about your ability to remember. Let it happen naturally. Staying healthy and having a positive desire to remember dreams may, in essence, give your brain permission to be more aware of dreaming and allow more effective recall over time.

There are also numerous ways to become more aware of your dreams and actually make things happen the way you want.

While telling someone about your dream is a good start, a dream journal is the best way to chronicle your dream life. Once a dream is written down, you can free your mind from trying to remember it, opening the door to even more dreams and exciting discoveries.

Do your dreams actually mean something? Check out Part Three of our dream series!