I focus on my breathing. Counting each inhale and exhale until I reach ten. Then, I start back at 1. If thoughts distract me from counting the breath I then do a technique called noting. I label the thought as either feeling or thinking and then I let it go. It’s a gentle labeling not harsh. Imagine lightly touching a crystal glass with a feather. I then refocus to counting the breath. Thoughts and distractions will continue to arise. Use the same technique. If I feel sleepy during a meditation I let my body rest and I fall asleep. I pick up the meditation again when I wake up. I have many meditations that help me fall asleep as well. I think that counting my breath while meditating keeps me from falling asleep. I also take time to focus on certain things such as a sound in the room, how my body feels, a smell, or a reflective word. I’ve been meditating for many years I think it takes time and practice and also dedication setting the time aside each day whether it’s 3 minutes or 20 minutes.
I only do a 10 minutes guided meditation by Abraham Hicks. I pay attention to her words and feel them. I never feel sleepy.
I’m not 100% sure, I think I try not to meditate if I am too tired, try and get it in before your get that tired, if I do meditate and feel tired I try harder to focus and find it makes em sleep better when I have finished and go to bed. I meditate sitting upright so it’s not too easy to fall asleep.
My meditation routine exists of to parts; one is walking very very slowloly (5m in 8min) and focus on what you’re actually doing. (mention every step you take and tell yourself what you are doing) e.g. When you lift your foot, move your leg, place your foot, stand, inhale, exhale and repeat. After my 'walking' part I sit on a couchen on the floor and focus on my breath and use words when inhaling and exhaling , I use rising/falling). These 2 exercises form my meditation routine ( I learned them on a retreat in monastery in Thailand) Make both parts equal in length I use 8min for 'walking' and 8min for sitting.
I usually don’t fight it. I just repeat the mantra and try to focus on that. Sometimes, if I do a nighttime guided meditation, I just fall asleep.
I fight sleepiness during meditation by focusing in the feeling of gravity pressing down on my body and the feeling of contact between me and where I am sitting. I also focus of the movement of my body when I breathe. Headspace is a great app that walks you through meditation if you find it difficult.
I let it happen… If you fall asleep, you fall asleep. If you check into Headspace, within the first few sessions, this subject is covered. If you fall asleep, it’s totally okay…your subconscious will be meditating still!
Well, I don’t. I usually meditate before bed and let myself drift away. Maybe it’s not traditional, but it is soothing to me and helps me fall asleep peacefully.
I find that in doing mindless things I tend to nod off. During these meditations, I am noticing that it is not so much of doing something mindlessly but more consciously focusing on different things: your breath, your thoughts, your body’s feelings. That combined with the newness that meditation has for me seems to be helping me not fall asleep during these first few practice sessions – even though they are early in the morning and late evenings.
Honestly, sometimes I don’t. If my body needs a powernap, thats alright. Better sleeping habits in general, and meditating when you have energy will help. Sitting upright and on the ground will help.
Answers reflect the personal experiences of Fabulous community members. They are not medical or professional advice — for guidance about your health, talk to a qualified professional.