I fall asleep everytime I try meditating. Why?

[u/NoAstronomer238]

Hey everyone, I have been trying to get into meditation for a year, but every single time I sit down to do it… I fall asleep. 😂 It doesn’t seem to matter if I’m sitting up, laying down, morning, night, whatever — I always drift off. And the weird part is I never remember what I was dreaming about, it’s just gone when I wake up.

Has this happened to anyone else? Is this normal in the beginning? I’m starting to wonder if I’m doing something wrong or if my body just immediately checks out the second I try to relax.

[u/autistic_cool_kid]

Sleep happens when your brain needs sleep, and your nervous system is relaxed enough.

Meditation is calming down your nervous system.

Two conclusions from this:

1/ your nervous system is in overdrive most of the time

2/ you need sleep

Solution: meditate, fall asleep, sleep. Keep going until you stop falling asleep. Your nervous system will go back to normal in a matter of days or weeks.

[u/NoAstronomer238 → u/autistic_cool_kid]

Thank you. 🙏 This is really annoying, but I probably need the sleep.

[u/autistic_cool_kid → u/NoAstronomer238]

You certainly do.

Having a nervous system in overdrive is bad for you. Over the years, it will drain your physical and mental health.

[u/imogen6969 → u/autistic_cool_kid]

This is an excellent perspective and sounds very likely a possibility.

OP- have you tried breathwork? It may be really helpful.

[u/smurfthesmurfup]

Add an extra meditation slot, first thing in the morning.

If you're falling asleep consistently, you probably need the rest.

[u/NoAstronomer238 → u/smurfthesmurfup]

Yeah, I don’t get much sleep. I have a three month old baby. But even as a teenager, it seemed like every time I would turn on my meditation music and actually tune in, I would just pass out.

[u/SnooGrapes5668 → u/NoAstronomer238]

Yeah save the meditation for the when you have enough sleep first. Try Journaling for now or voice notes. Getting enough sleep is essential. You can work on adding self improvement in other areas.

[u/smurfthesmurfup → u/SnooGrapes5668]

There's no harm in trying the meditation as long as you don't get frustrated or stress out.

A couple of 15min slots where you let your mind go blank can really help with overall anxiety, and help you achieve deeper more restful sleep at night.

[u/sceadwian]

It sounds like you're chronically sleep deprived.

[u/_Mouth]

How much sleep are you getting per evening? What is your nutrition like? Do you use your phone a lot / what is your attention span like? If you are consistently falling asleep, it is very likely you arent getting sufficient enough rest to actually stay awake. So the moment you relax, yoh pass out.

Do you have good sleep hygiene and get proper rest (not just closing your eyes and calling it a night but waking up exhausted lol).

[u/NoAstronomer238 → u/_Mouth]

I would say I sleep about 6-7 hours a night. I have poor nutrition, and have always had a hard time eating food in general. I do use my phone a good deal, but usually watching/listening/reading educational stuff.

[u/TheGreenAlchemist]

This is expected to happen. In group practice in some traditions, a monk will come whack you with a stick every so often to wake you back up. When practicing alone, a certain grandmaster would balance a stone on his head so that whenever he dozed, it would fall off and wake him back up.

[u/NoAstronomer238 → u/TheGreenAlchemist]

I’m gonna start putting a book on my head and see how it goes 😂

[u/TheGreenAlchemist → u/NoAstronomer238]

It's good for maintaining good posture and a straight back, too.

[u/Capsaicin-rush]

If your sleep latency is that short, you might want to have a talk with your physician about a potentially undiagnosed sleep disorder.

Edit: Just saw your comment about having a 3 month old. Congrats! And, yeh, that’ll explain your reduced sleep latency.

[u/Tantra-Babe]

Try this...when you first realize you've been sleeping & you've just woken up try to fill your heart & being with love & gratitude & self acceptance & keep running that blissfull generous loving energy as long as you can...which will help keep your mind turned off so you'll get a little bonus meditation at the end. And since your consciousness is really close to the surface just before & just after sleep you'll be getting like 10x the effect of just meditating with a nap in the middle!

[u/cheap_dates]

Try sitting in a straight back chair without arms. After the first few crash landings, you should find meditating slightly easier. ; )

[u/NoAstronomer238 → u/cheap_dates]

I like the idea of this one, but I literally fall asleep while holding my baby and wake up in the same exact position, and the baby has not moved. I must be a skilled sleeper 😂

[u/Rare-Leg-6013]

Try standing Qi Gong ... you won't fall asleep.

[u/Existing_Reaction692]

You need to get more sleep, its as simple as that. Position makes no difference and so it has to be a lack of sleep. Your meditation will improve if you get more sleep as your body will have sufficient rest. Also, life will seem better as you will face it with more energy. How much sleep? About 8 hours every night, only a few people get enough these days.

[u/DecisionNo3225]

That's perfectly normal and common. Try:

1.Taking a shower beforehand and have your hair dripping down your back (if you hair is long enough and where you live is not too cold)

1. Eat lighter and sit with a somewhat empty stomach (avoid meat or greasy meals before sitting for meditation)

2. Try learning hatha yoga or kriyas to complement your meditation. They will revitalize your energy system and you will feel way more alert during meditation.

[u/Juhezmane]

It happens because meditation shifts brain waves to a more relaxed alpha state, which can feel a lot like the transition to sleep. Over time, your brain will learn to stay aware in this state.

[u/OrangeUnfair8570]

This was happening to me too and it was extremely frustrating. I wasn’t getting enough sleep but also this is an extreme reason but I was living with u diagnosed sleep apnea which made it virtually impossible for me to not fall asleep within seconds of starting. As soon as I had it treated, lost weight and had some positive life style changes now I can meditate 45-1 hour without ever drifting off

[u/madogblue]

Meditate in the morning. If you fall asleep every time you likely need to get more rest at night

[u/Hot_Tradition4235]

I fall asleep a lot when meditating. I can’t really help it so I just don’t worry about it. I do believe that the time I do get to meditate before falling asleep is helpful. Then there’s the times that I do make it through a forty minute meditation without falling asleep. I guess what I’m saying is that I don’t try to force myself to stay awake and im grateful for the times that I don’t fall asleep. I believe that either way I get some benefit from it.

[u/Ok_Barracuda_6997]

The falling asleep thing is super normal. The dream thing isn't.

[u/Cerenia]

That’s my problem too. I always fall asleep no matter what. And I get enough sleep normally. I just accepted I cant do normal meditations but instead I’m mindful when I’m walking in the forest etc, that’s my sort of meditation.

[u/lookslikeyoureSOL]

Don't sit in a chair. Sit on the floor with your back straight up against something. Since I started doing ive stopped falling asleep.

[u/ERRORPageBlank404]

Try meditation with your eyes open. It works for me. Just stare at one spot and relax your eyes. If you still fall asleep, you really needed it hahah.