Why Some People Become Drowsy When They Meditate?

  1. They lack sleep.

    These days, sleep deprivation is very common, especially among younger people. Many don’t even recognize it themselves, as they don’t feel any signs of it when they are busy working or having fun.
    Solution: Sleep. Also, look into why you’re not getting enough sleep. You need to solve this not only for meditation, but also for your overall welfare and happiness. If you have trouble sleeping well, consider seeing a competent TCM or Ayurvedic doctor.

  1. They are constipated.

    Being constipated, one is burdened with an unusual amount of toxicity in the body. This condition drags down one’s energy.
    Solution: Deconstipate. Try natural solutions found at pharmacies. Also, do seek help to solve the underlying cause of your constipation.

  1. They are dehydrated.

    Some people are regularly dehydrated yet don’t recognize it. The likely underlying reason is that they are habitually tensed up, such that they don’t feel thirsty until they are very dehydrated.
    Solution: Learn how to relax. Once you are relaxed, you’ll feel thirsty. You should know what to do next. Also, you need to deal with an anxiety issue which you may not be fully conscious of. (For more, see Dealing With Anxiety)

  1. They lack interest.

    For some reason, some people feel compelled to meditate, but are actually not really interested. They set their body in a sitting meditation posture. And they become drowsy.
    Solution: Stop trying to meditate. You are not actually doing it anyway. Go back to why you think you should meditate in the first place. Address that issue.

  1. They are influenced by a lifelong habit.

    Assuming you meditate with your eyes closed, bear in mind that the times you close your eyes are mostly when you want to sleep. Therefore, closing our eyes easily reminds us of sleep.
    Solution: Meditate with your eyes open naturally.

  1. They are influenced by a bad meditation habit.

    Becoming drowsy is so habitual for some people when they meditate that they may be nodding off yet still believe that they are being aware. Since such people don’t recognize the problem at all, I will not offer them any solution here. However, if you see a fellow meditator nodding away, when he/she gets up, try asking if they knew that they were nodding. They may tell you they weren’t nodding at all, but were fully aware. If you have a good relationship with the person, you might arrange so that your friend gets to see some visual evidence.

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