Athena Laz, author, counselling psychologist and dream teacher, shares her thoughts on the gifts dreams bring us, sleeping habits and how dreams can unlock creativity

Athena Laz is delighted that more people are talking about dreaming, and now with the publication of her book The Alchemy of Your Dreams: A Modern Guide to the Ancient Art of Lucid Dreaming and Interpretation, many others will have the knowledge and opportunities to benefit from the symbols and messages our dreams offer us.

Sharing her thoughts and experiences on Happiful's podcast I am. I have, Athena opens up the wonderful world of dreams and the ways we can work with them.

Athena on

Dreaming

  • When we dream we are offered positive solutions, guidance, creative wisdom. We are also offered emotional regulation through our dreams so even a nightmare is often helpful, if you look at it from a higher perspective.

  • Studies have shown that every night, even if we don't recall our dreams, they are helping us to process our emotions.

Sleeping and dreaming habits

  • It's very important to prepare for sleep to make the most of your dream time. Create a sacred space for sleeping, and on a pragmatic level, if you can go to sleep at the same time every night, that can help with dreaming too.

  • To recall your dreams better, the moment you wake, try not to physically move your body. This gives you a few seconds to replay your dream and in doing so, it helps you to store it better into your long term memory.

Creativity

  • Creative inspiration strikes so many people in dreams. So many people tell me that their creative blocks disappear once they actively start working with their dreams.

  • Famous people who've received creative insight in their dreams include the owners of Google, who got that idea through a dream and Paul McCartney who often heard his music in dreams.

  • Gaining creative inspiration or guidance can be a regular occurrence if you're in touch with your dreams. The more you work with your dreams, the more you connect with yourself and then the insights will come.

For more information and inspiration when working with your dreams listen to Athena’s full episode of I am. I have

Athena’s book The Alchemy of Your Dreams: A Modern Guide to the Ancient Art of Lucid Dreaming and Interpretation, published by Yellow Kite, is available now

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