What if I fall asleep during meditation?
Written by
Natalie Hamilton
Reviewed by
Prof. Graham Pierce, Ph.D.Falling asleep during sleep meditation is actually ideal and not a failure. This demonstrates that your practice successfully triggered the relaxation response. Unlike daytime mindfulness, sleep aids are designed to induce sleepiness. Your body falling asleep is proof that you are applying the technique correctly. This means that you have accomplished the main goal of a meditation practice at bedtime.
Natural Progression
- Drowsiness indicates parasympathetic nervous system activation
- Body temperature drops naturally during this transition
- Breathing patterns slow to 6-8 breaths per minute
- Muscle relaxation reaches deepest levels before sleep onset
Practice Adjustments
- For deeper awareness practice 1-2 hours before bedtime
- Use seated positions if maintaining consciousness matters
- Focus on breath counting during early evening sessions
- Track dozing patterns in a sleep journal
Mindset Shifts
- Reframe dozing as technique success not failure
- Notice improved sleep quality after meditative dozing
- Accept that different sessions serve different purposes
- Trust your body's natural wisdom in relaxation
Whether dozing affects you depends on your meditation intents. For getting ready for sleep, dozing is great. If you want to be mindful of becoming aware of things, do it earlier in the day. Observe how your body responds differently to the same techniques at different times. Noticing this helps you learn treatments designed for you.
Assess sleep quality enhancement post meditative nap. For many, deeper rest patterns and fewer night awakenings are evidenced. This is a confirmation of the technique, regardless of conscious awareness throughout the entire session. Regular execution of the practice will lead to the development of the nervous structure in an accumulative manner, thereby refining the structure of sleep.
If staying alert is important, try some alertness techniques. Picture yourself meditating in front of a candle flame or counting backward from 100. Practice this during daylight hours when you are naturally awake, as your circadian rhythms dictate. Note that sleep-oriented meditation methods have different measures of success than those aimed at enhancing daytime alertness.
Read the full article: Guided Meditation for Sleep: Techniques and Benefits
