10 Benefits of Keeping a Dream Journal

If you’re reading this, I'm going to guess that you’re a vivid dreamer like me, and if you’re not, you may be looking to strengthen your dream recall so you can dive into the fascinating world that is the astral realm! There are many proven benefits to keeping a dream journal, and we’re going to explore them today. 

We recently created and launched our own Dream Journal – Where Do I Go When My Eyes Are Closed, available on Amazon! 

So, if you find yourself reading about these benefits and thinking that you’d like to give this dream journal thing a whirl, feel free to give ours a shot and let us know how you like it! It was created with the intention to bring deeper introspection & clarity through bridging the gap between our dream world and our lived experience.

But more importantly, let’s get into the 10 Benefits of Keeping a Dream Journal...

1. Increase Creativity  

Many of the greatest, most widely admired creatives have accredited much of their ideation and creative process to their dream state. Much inspiration has been and can be derived from our dream state if you take a moment to recall what happened in the astral realm when you wake up in the morning. Inspiration may not strike immediately, and that is one reason why having a dream journal to look back and reflect on can be so beneficial.

 2. Solve Problems - “Dream Incubation” 

Dream Incubation is a strategy dating back to ancient times that involves intentionally asking a question before bed, to be addressed in our dream state. There is plenty of evidence showing this method to be successful and effective.  “Dream incubation, then and now, is an attempt to connect the dreaming me to the wakeful me, and to access the valuable insights hidden within.” writes Dale M. Kushner in Psychology Today. 

Keeping a dream journal allows you to write down your intentions and questions you would like to address in your dream state. It also acts as a resource for you to write down and dissect the happenings of your dreams in the morning. Being able to look back at your dreams and the circumstances surrounding them can help solve problems you face in your daily life. 

3. Improve Mental & Emotional Health 

Keeping a dream journal can significantly improve your mental and emotional well-being. Dreams often reflect our subconscious thoughts and emotions, serving as a window into our innermost feelings. By regularly recording and reflecting on your dreams, you can gain insight into your psyche and identify recurring themes or unresolved issues. This process of self-discovery can lead to greater self-awareness and emotional healing as you navigate your mental landscape. 

4. Increase Personal Insight & Introspection 

Dream journaling fosters a deeper understanding of yourself by encouraging introspection and self-reflection. As you document your dreams and analyze their meanings, you may uncover hidden aspects of your personality, desires, and fears. This heightened self-awareness enables you to make more informed choices and align your actions with your values and aspirations.

By delving into the rich tapestry of your subconscious mind, you embark on a journey of self-discovery that enriches your life with newfound insights and wisdom. 

5. Connect with your Subconscious Mind 

Dreams serve as a direct line of communication with your subconscious mind, offering valuable insights and guidance from within. By engaging with your dreams through journaling, you strengthen this connection and cultivate a deeper relationship with your inner self. Your dreams may reveal subconscious patterns, desires, or fears that influence your waking life, empowering you to make positive changes and achieve greater fulfillment.

By honouring the wisdom of your subconscious, you embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and personal growth. 

6. Strengthen your Memory Muscles 

Maintaining a dream journal enhances your cognitive abilities and memory retention by exercising your "memory muscles." As you commit your dreams to paper upon waking, you engage in a process that reinforces neural pathways associated with memory formation. Over time, this practice enhances your ability to recall not only your dreams but also other experiences and information in your daily life. 

By sharpening your memory skills through dream journaling, you unlock greater cognitive potential and mental agility. 

7. Boost your Confidence & Self-Esteem 

Dream journaling can boost your confidence and self-esteem by validating your inner experiences and insights. As you document your dreams and explore their meanings, you affirm the significance of your subconscious thoughts and emotions. This validation strengthens your sense of self-worth and empowers you to trust your intuition and inner wisdom.

By recognizing the value of your dreams, you cultivate a deeper appreciation for your unique perspective and innate abilities, fostering a positive self-image and greater self-assurance. 

8. Gain Control of Your Dreams 

Dream journaling serves as a gateway to lucid dreaming—a state in which you become aware that you are dreaming and can actively participate in and manipulate the dream environment. By recording your dreams and analyzing their content, you develop a greater awareness of dream signs and patterns that indicate you are dreaming. This heightened awareness increases your likelihood of becoming lucid during dreams, allowing you to exert control over your dream experiences and explore limitless possibilities within the dream realm.

Through practice and intention, you can harness the power of lucid dreaming to unlock your creative potential and transcend the boundaries of ordinary reality. 

9. Boost Dream Recall 

Consistently maintaining a dream journal enhances your ability to recall and remember your dreams with greater clarity and detail. By establishing a regular habit of recording your dreams immediately upon waking, you signal to your brain that dreams are important and worthy of retention. This proactive approach to dream recall strengthens your memory encoding processes and facilitates easier access to dream content upon reflection.

Over time, you'll notice a significant improvement in your ability to recall and vividly recall your dreams, enriching your dream journaling practice and deepening your connection to the dream world. 

10. Take Control of your Morning 

Starting your day with dream journaling sets a positive tone and empowers you to take control of your morning routine. By prioritizing reflection and self-discovery upon waking, you establish a mindful practice that grounds you in the present moment and fosters a sense of purpose and clarity for the day ahead. As you engage with your dreams and explore their meanings, you cultivate a deeper connection to yourself and the world around you, guiding your actions with intention and insight.

By embracing the transformative power of dream journaling, you seize the opportunity to shape your day and create a life filled with meaning, fulfillment, and possibility. 

Ready to Give Dream Journalling a Shot?

Our Dream Journal – Where Do I Go When My Eyes Are Closed started as a personal project as I was truly looking for a more concise way to track and journal about my dreams in a way that bridges the gap between the astral realm and my daily life.

I was craving deeper introspection and a way to ground myself into my day at the same time. 

This journal gives you the space and opportunity to do exactly that – tracking things such as mood upon waking, quality of sleep, phase of the moon, doodling any imagery or scenery that stands out, writing a self-affirmation, and of course journalling out what you recall and interpret from last nights dream. 

If you feel called to try it, please let us know how you like it. Happy dreaming! 

With love + gratitude, 

Erin – Founder of Ebbs & Flows