Imagine flying weightlessly over a mountain landscape, talking to a loved one or exploring fantastic worlds - all with full control. Not science fiction, but reality for people who dream lucidly.
What is lucid dreaming?
Lucid dreaming means being aware in a dream that you are dreaming - and in many cases even actively controlling the dream. This state usually occurs in the REM sleep phase and is scientifically referred to as a "hybrid sleep-wakefulness state". A fascinating mixture of rest and clear consciousness.
Why the hype - and how does it work?
Interest in lucid dreaming is growing, fuelled by the media, testimonials and online communities. And indeed: according to studies, around 55% of adults have already experienced a lucid dream.
If you want to dream lucidly on a regular basis, you can use certain techniques. Keeping a dream diary is particularly popular - it raises awareness of dreams and patterns. So-called "reality checks", such as counting your fingers or looking at a clock, also help to distinguish between reality and dreams.
More than just fantasy - also therapeutically valuable
Lucid dreams not only offer exciting experiences - they can also help in everyday life. People with anxiety disorders or post-traumatic stress use them to live through and overcome fears in the safe space of dreams. Athletes practise movement sequences in their dreams, and people who are nervous before presentations can practise them again and again in their dreams - almost like mental training in their sleep.
Not commonplace, but learnable
Only around 0.3 % of all dreams are lucid - a rare phenomenon. Interestingly, research shows that lucid dreamers often have a more developed awareness of their thoughts. Their prefrontal cortex - the "thinking centre" - is also more active during sleep. However, this means that sleep can be disturbed more easily because the brain is working more intensively.
Sleep. Dreaming. Design.
For us at Hüsler Nest, good sleep is more than just relaxation - it is the basis for creativity, inner balance and a healthy life. Lucid dreaming shows how deep the connection between body, mind and sleep can be. Perhaps it is also a new way for you to access your inner self - and an exciting way to give a whole new meaning to the nightly rest phases.
