In this paper, I explore the causes of lucid dreaming in the aim to understand how to prevent, control and manage these dreams. Previous research suggests that multiple awakenings in the night and experiencing wakeful dissociation can increase lucid dream frequency, while implementing mindfulness during waking hours can enhance lucid dream control. In my correlational study, I tested the strength of these relationships by examining naturalistic daily changes in their variables longitudinally over a two-week period. I measured the number of awakenings each night, the degree of wakeful dissociation each day rated on a scale from 0-10, the level of wakeful mindfulness achieved each day using the Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory, the number of lucid dreams recorded each night, and ascertained the level of control of lucid dreams each night based on degrees of awareness of the dream, control of the dream body, and control of the dream environment. Data from the study showed significant correlations between nightly awakenings and lucid dream frequency, between wakeful mindfulness and lucid dream control, but not between wakeful dissociation and lucid dream frequency.
