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Meditation is known to be one of the most calming and peaceful activities that are beneficial for your physical and mental health. We all know that to meditate effectively, you need to be in a quiet space with few distractions and little movement.
This seems like a good environment for sleep, which is why meditating often helps you fall asleep. But health experts think there are other reasons why you might feel sleepy while meditating. Let’s take a look at some of them.
EEG patterns: 2020 in review The cutting edge of systems neuroscience Electroencephalograms (EEGs) have found that meditation resembles stages 1 and 2 of sleep, with an increase in alpha brain waves and a decrease in central beta and low gamma waves. Healthlinesays that some researchers have observed that during meditation, brain waves associated with high alertness and problem solving decrease and brain waves associated with relaxation increase. “When you meditate, you’re playing on the border between focus and relaxation, wakefulness and sleep, and if you practice often enough, it’s possible that you might sometimes veer a little too far in the direction of sleep,” he says. Healthline.
Lack of sleep: The aforementioned information hub also notes that one reason you might feel sleepy while meditating is lack of sleep: “If you’re already tired, stressed, overwhelmed or sleep-deprived, your body may interpret your meditation practice as an invitation to get some much-needed sleep.”
Beginner Meditation: by Health Shot The publication claims that feeling sleepy when meditating for the first time is normal because you don’t have much experience with meditation, and therefore your body and mind won’t have any beneficial reactions or responses to the practice.
Wrong way: The above health publication further explains that you may feel sleepy if you are unable to connect with the meditation technique you are using, hence suggesting to choose the right type of meditation for you.
Eating a heavy meal: Healthline The researchers claim that eating a heavy meal before meditating may induce drowsiness due to hormones released when you’re full, the nutrients in the food, and your body focusing on digestion. They further state that foods that contain tryptophan, melatonin, and magnesium may induce muscle relaxation and drowsiness. “After a meal, your body may be working overtime to digest the food, especially if you’ve eaten a large meal. The digestive process can rob your brain of energy, leaving you feeling a bit groggy.”
Also see: How Meditation Can Benefit You in 2024
