How to Keep a Dream Journal: Tips & Examples

What is a Dream Journal?

A dream journal is a diary which records one’s dream experiences. A dream diary might include a record or personal reflection, scenes in the dream as well as the experience while waking up from one.

Benefits of keeping a dream journal

Keeping a dream journal helps you to understand about your dream and by extension yourself. Record your dreams on a regular basis and track the themes and patterns over time.

1. It helps you to remember your dreams are about and improve your memory

Dreams are very short-lived. The longer time has passed since waking up, the harder it is for you to recall what you had dreamt about. It will be easier for you to remember what you dreams were about if you write about them immediately after waking up. Recalling dreams also serves to improve your memory.

2. You get to understand yourself better

Your subconscious mind is largely untapped, yet it contains information related to us. When you dream, you’ll be able to discover secret gems that you never thought existed. Once you begin journaling, if you work on what you discovered, you’ll transform into a better version of you.

3. It helps you understand your emotions and thoughts

Having a positive and good dream the night before may lead to you waking up in a happy and optimistic mood but the converse holds true – waking up after a nightmare could make your day more dull and sad. By chronicling your dreams, you will be able to understand why you feel the way that you do each day.

4. It can helps to induce lucid dreaming.

Lucid dream is one in which the dreamer is aware that they are dreaming. People are attracted to lucid dreaming because they can do things in their dreams that they never could in reality. For lucid dreaming and dream recalling to work, a dream journal is a must-have!

5. It can help you to improve your problem-solving skills.

Studies show that we are more intelligent when our minds are well rested. Our mind puts together puzzles in our subconscious while we are asleep and dreaming. When we keep a dream journal, it gives us a better insight and understanding of solving hurdles in our life.

How to write a dream journal?

1. Sleep with an intention to remember

If you don’t usually remember your dreams, you need to tell your subconscious self to remember them. You can write it in your own words somewhere, such as on your journal software. When you wake up the next day, think about what had happened in your dream and tell yourself not to let the dream drift away from your memory.

2. Calm down

Some might feel nauseous after waking up from a dream while others might feel their heart race after having an intense dream. So calm down and take a deep breath before you start writing.

3. Recall and pen down the scenes that were in the dream

Before you forget what happened in the dream, record it in detail on the scenes that you have experienced. Some of which could be your thoughts on the event, your emotions and reaction to the occurrence, the activities that happened and/or anything that you find unique and interesting that you felt that you need to remember.