Mindfulness and trouble falling asleep

Post here if you are just starting out with your mindfulness practice. Mindfulness is a really difficult concept to get your head around at first, and it might be that you would benefit from some help from others.
ZenEx
Posts: 2
Practice Mindfulness Since: 01 Jun 2019

Mon Oct 28, 2019 11:20 am  

Hi,

I have been practicing meditation about 4 -5 months now. I do breathing meditation once or sometimes twice a day about 10 min sets.
While i have noticed significant benefits to my overall mood, i find it is now quite difficult to fall asleep at night.
Most of the time when this problem appears (2 -3 times a week usually) i go to bed feeling tired and in a good mood to sleep.
Then it is like i can feel the sensation of falling asleep and my brain / body somehow resists this feeling to takeover. Allmost like i am too aware to sleep.
I have tried to gently accept that feeling but its really difficult to react to this because it happens so quick. This could happen several times in an night until my brain finally gives up and fall asleep. These nights i might get 2-3 hours of sleep and it is getting really exhausting. Maybe i should try different form of meditation? If anyone have any tips to overcome this problem i would be very thankful.

Br,

ZenEx

User avatar
Peter
Site Admin
Posts: 696
Practice Mindfulness Since: 19 Aug 2013
Location: The Netherlands

Wed Oct 30, 2019 7:12 am  

Hi ZenEx,

Sleep problems are very troublesome. Did you have sleep troubles before you started with mindfulness, or only since then?

JonW
Team Member
Posts: 2897
Practice Mindfulness Since: 08 Dec 2012
Location: In a field, somewhere

Thu Oct 31, 2019 6:16 pm  

Hi ZenEx,
I would stick with the sitting meditations during the day, aiming for a bit longer if possible.
I would also highly recommend doing long body scans before bed. 30 minutes minimum. There are plenty of them available on YouTube.
Let us know how you get along.
All best,
Jon
Jon leads the Everyday Mindfulness group meditation on Zoom every Monday/Friday, 6pm London-time. FREE.
Follow this link to join the WhatsApp group and receive notifications: https://chat.whatsapp.com/K5j5deTvIHVD7z71H3RIIk

nathaly
Posts: 3
Practice Mindfulness Since: 04 Jul 1975
Contact:

Sun Nov 03, 2019 6:06 am  

Maybe it has nothing to do with how mindful you are. I would try exercise/lifting weights as part of your daily routine. This has helped me tremendously with falling asleep and waking up feeling refreshed.

ZenEx
Posts: 2
Practice Mindfulness Since: 01 Jun 2019

Thu Nov 07, 2019 7:47 am  

Hi,

Thanks for your replies.

I`ve had some prior sleeping problems, but nothing like this before.
Also never had these weird sensations in my body / brain before that are keeping me awake.

I do plenty of exercise so that shouldnt be a problem. I am seeing therapist next week and hoping she can provide some help.
It has been 2 weeks since my last meditation and at this point i am little hesitant to start again.

ZenEx

JonW
Team Member
Posts: 2897
Practice Mindfulness Since: 08 Dec 2012
Location: In a field, somewhere

Thu Nov 07, 2019 6:51 pm  

I hope the doc can shed some light on it, ZenEx.
Let us know how you get along.
Best wishes,
Jon
Jon leads the Everyday Mindfulness group meditation on Zoom every Monday/Friday, 6pm London-time. FREE.
Follow this link to join the WhatsApp group and receive notifications: https://chat.whatsapp.com/K5j5deTvIHVD7z71H3RIIk

CraigJ123
Posts: 74
Practice Mindfulness Since: 01 Jan 2017

Sun Jun 28, 2020 10:19 am  

It takes me less that 3 mins to fall asleep every night. I'm terrible for getting to bed late but since I started stomach clenches in bed I can never stay awake!

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