What Not to Do in a Lucid Dream - Recommendations from Practitioners

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Excitement is often the first emotion a person feels when they enter a lucid dream. The overwhelming joy of realizing that their attempt was successful and that the elusive world of random events has finally become controlled by their mind can bring a great sense of exhilaration.

On the other hand, a dreamer’s initial realization that they are asleep might trigger fear.

In both cases, these strong emotions can quickly cause the lucid dream to end.

Upon waking and reflecting on their lucid dreaming experience, the person may begin to think about the dos and don’ts of the practice.
If they wish to continue and enjoy the fascinating ability to consciously control their dreams, the question of what not to do in a lucid dream and why becomes important.

If someone has no desire to experience lucid dreaming, they might wonder what specific actions will stop the practice.
In either case, understanding what not to do when lucid dreaming can help the person reach their goal.

What is Considered “Taboo” in a Lucid Dream?

Strong Emotions

Any intense emotion — whether it’s joy, excitement, or fear — can lead to the loss of lucidity and even cause awakening. Therefore, if the goal is to continue the dream, it’s essential to remain calm and avoid overly strong reactions. Conversely, if lucid dreaming is unsettling, intense emotions can help end the experience.

This highlights a crucial principle in lucid dreaming: knowing what not to do in a lucid dream and why can directly influence whether the dream continues or abruptly ends.

Sounds in a Lucid Dream

Many people ask if there are certain things they shouldn’t say in a lucid dream. They wonder if there are any specific words or even “spells” that affect dreams. It’s important not to assign mystical or esoteric meanings to natural physiological processes.

The belief that there are universally accepted “magic words” for controlling lucid dreams is unfounded. However, each person can set their subconscious to respond to specific trigger words.
In any case, it’s essential to remember that shouting — which is associated with strong emotions — will likely lead to waking up regardless of what you’re saying.

What Not to Say in a Lucid Dream

Negative statements should not be spoken in a lucid dream. Remember, in dreams, our subconscious is much closer to the surface than in wakefulness, and any negative phrases will be felt more strongly than in real life.

Thus, words should be kept positive, both in meaning and tone. Self-critical thoughts like “I can’t do this,” “I’m failing,” or “This is impossible” are not helpful.

Some suggest that saying “this is a dream” should be avoided, but this advice is unfounded. Reminding yourself that you are dreaming can actually help maintain lucidity. The idea that dream characters might react aggressively to such a statement is also misguided.

In a lucid dream, the dreamer controls everything, and the events unfold based on their desires. Saying “this is a dream” will either help you stay lucid or, if desired, wake you up.

Stopping Actions

The hyper-realism of lucid dreams can be striking, which can tempt the dreamer to pause and take everything in. However, the events that occur in dreams change rapidly — trying to “pause” one’s surroundings is like trying to stop a moving train. Stopping the action will likely cause the dream to slip away, lucidity to fade, and pull the consciousness back into random events or even lead to awakening.

In other words, if you want to maintain lucidity, keep moving! Even something as simple as rubbing your hands together while observing your surroundings can help.

If the goal is to end the practice, then simply start observing the dream in a passive, thoughtful way, and you’ll soon lose control of the dream. This again ties into the awareness of what not to do when lucid dreaming if your aim is either to stay within the dream or to exit it.

Breathing

While asleep, people rarely think about their breathing. In a lucid dream, thoughts about breathing can lead beginners to lose control or wake up.

For experienced lucid dreamers, however, focusing on the breath can help maintain lucidity. The more someone practices, the more they’ll enjoy experiencing scenarios that are unavailable in real life. Breathing underwater? Being in the vacuum of space? All of this is possible for someone who is adept at controlling their lucid dreams.
Just remember that in a dream, you can breathe freely in any environment, opening up the potential for exciting explorations.

Returning to Reality

Some people have a desire to “redo” events that have already happened in real life, especially if they caused negative emotions. Such experiences are often repeated in dreams, even if the dream isn’t lucid. The subconscious uses these dreams to relieve the body and mind of stress.

Consciously returning to unpleasant events in a lucid dream can help release internal anxieties. However, it’s crucial not to confuse dreams with reality. The idea that dreams can alter real-life events — such as changing someone’s words or actions — is entirely wrong.

Lucid dreams help create a personal dream world, but they don’t create or affect the physical world. This should always be kept in mind when considering what not to do in a lucid dream and why.

Fears

Lucid dreams present a wonderful opportunity to confront and overcome fears. Dream control is one of the most effective methods for practicing lucid dreaming to work through phobias.

However, fears and phobias — which lurk in the dark corners of the subconscious — can spontaneously manifest in dreams, regardless of the dreamer’s intentions.

So, what should you do if your goal in a lucid dream is completely unrelated to confronting your fears, and you’d rather not deal with any nightmares?

If you become aware you are dreaming, remember that you are in control of the dream. This means everything in the dream is shaped by your will.

As such, no frightening scenario can appear unless it is consciously summoned. Therefore, what not to do when lucid dreaming may also include letting fearful thoughts take the lead — unless you want to face them.

Dream Events

Very often, the events unfolding in a dream can trigger lucidity. Any paradox recognized by the mind can awaken the inner critic, leading to the realization that the events are part of a dream.

The natural impulse is to start changing everything around you in order to “fix” the dream. But the thought “this is a dream, and I know it’s a dream” often causes the dreamer to become too absorbed in the dream’s plot as they actively and consciously alter the events at will.

The result is typically complete immersion in the dream narrative and the loss of the newly acquired lucidity. Sometimes, such actions can even lead to waking up.

That’s why, upon becoming aware of a dream, it’s crucial not to get too caught up in the dream’s storyline or start “correcting” the events that triggered the realization.

Understanding what not to do in a lucid dream and why can help prolong the experience, return you to a regular dream, or wake you up.
In any case, remember that you are the master of your dreams, and within the dream world, everything happens according to your will and desires.

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FAQ

What not to do in lucid dreams?

Avoid strong emotions like fear or excitement, as they can wake you up. Don’t say negative phrases, stop moving, or confuse the dream with reality. Knowing what not to do in a lucid dream and why helps prolong the experience.

Can you do whatever you want in a lucid dream?

Technically, yes — lucid dreams give you control. But to stay lucid and avoid waking up, you should stay calm, think positively, and not get lost in the dream’s storyline.

What can't you do in dreams?

In ordinary dreams, you may feel limited by physical rules or mental blocks. In lucid dreams, you can do almost anything, but emotional reactions or passive behavior may end the experience.

Why can't I yell in my dream?

Yelling often triggers strong emotional reactions that can cause you to wake up. In lucid dreams, it’s best to speak calmly to stay in control and avoid disrupting the dream.

What should you never do in a lucid dream?

Never panic, stay passive, or try to “pause” the dream. Avoid negative thoughts or self-doubt, and don’t treat the dream like it can change real life—it can’t.

What not to do in lucid dream?

Don’t stop moving, shout, or dwell on fears unless you want to face them. Avoid thinking negatively or following the dream plot too closely—it may make you lose lucidity.

What never to do in a lucid dream?

Never confuse dream events with real-life ones, try to redo real situations as if they’ll change reality, or lose track of your goals. These actions can distort your focus or cause awakening.

What to avoid in a lucid dream?

Avoid strong emotions, passive observation, negative self-talk, or getting overly involved in dream scenarios. These reduce your control and can end the lucid state.

What to never do in a dream?

Never assume dreams can change the real world. Especially in lucid dreams, don’t give in to fear, speak negatively, or try to freeze the dream — it will likely collapse.