Meditation is a process of training the mind to focus, redirect thoughts and lower stress and anxiety. It induces a sense of well-being and also improves memory, according to Neurobiologists at UCLA, Los Angeles, United States.
But do you have an urge to pass a yawn or feel sleepy while meditating? Well, there is a reason behind it. According to Neuropsychiatrist Jon Lieff from Harvard Medical School, getting enough sleep is the only way to not feel sleepy while meditating.
During meditation, the high alert and problem-solving brain waves decrease, while relaxing brain waves increase. The brain is right on the edge between focus and relaxation, wakefulness and sleep. In this situation, if the body is already exhausted due to a lack of sleep, drifting towards the 'sleep' direction is more likely while meditating.
So, getting a healthy 8-hour sleep at night is the key to meditate without feeling drowsy. Another important factor is the time when you meditate. It is better to meditate early in the morning with a fresh mind rather than at the end of the day. Also, remember to start small by meditating for about 5 minutes a day and then slowly increasing the duration. This will help your mind and body to acclimatize to meditation.