If you know people who meditate, you might have heard about discomfort and unusual sensations linked to it. It’s common to find people feeling dizzy after meditation at retreats or online forums. Don’t worry, experiencing dizziness or a spinning sensation during or after meditation is normal.
In this article, we’ll discuss what causes this dizzy sensation after deep meditation as well as some other signs associated with it. We’ll also provide useful tips on how to prevent it from happening.
Why do I feel dizzy after meditation?
Feeling dizzy after meditation is quite common, and here are five main causes, along with easy fixes:
Energy buildup in the head
Deep meditation generates significant energy in the head. Beginners should start with shorter sessions to adjust to this energy. Remember, during meditation, you exchange energy with Earth and receive it from the universe through your crown chakra.
Prolonged stillness
Sitting still for extended periods can cause dizziness. The body isn’t designed to maintain one position for long durations. It might also occur if you stand up too quickly after meditation.
Improper breathing
Overemphasis on breath control can result in unnatural breathing patterns like excessively deep inhales and exhales and breath-holding for extended periods. While deep breathing is essential, doing it too intensely could cause dizziness and headaches.
Blood pressure changes
Small fluctuations in blood pressure during meditation and deep breathing practices may also contribute to dizziness and nausea.
Standing up too fast
Rising too quickly after deep meditation might make you feel dizzy. Take a few moments to reconnect with your body and surroundings before slowly getting up, similar to waking up in the morning.
Chronic dizziness
Chronic dizziness comes in various forms, such as spinning episodes or mild, persistent unsteadiness like PPPD. It often starts with a balance issue and worsens with movement or busy environments. Treatments exist, but they’re not always effective, and symptoms can persist. Some patients may feel anxious or depressed, worsening their dizziness and causing neck pain.
Researchers seek new treatments for chronic dizziness, possibly requiring tailored approaches for each patient. Techniques like mindfulness, rehabilitation exercises, diet adjustments, therapy, and medication could be combined depending on the cause.
What are some other signs of a deep meditation state?
Head heaviness post-meditation
Experiencing head heaviness after meditation is normal and not a cause for concern. It results from increased blood flow and pressure due to deep breathing and relaxation techniques.
To address this, focus on your breath during meditation and manage the energy flow by being mindful of your breathing. Zen masters suggest concentrating on the area near the navel for proper energy flow and alleviating headaches. Lastly, redirect energy from the heart to the body’s base at the perineum and along the central channel, allowing it to settle at the core. Drinking ample water after meditation can help alleviate this sensation.
Feeling Nauseous During Meditation
Nausea during meditation may not be related to the practice itself but could stem from your approach and timing. To avoid feeling sick, identify potential causes and adjust your technique. If you feel dizzy or have a headache, try gentler alternatives like Yoga Nidra or meditation apps.
Intense detoxifying practices can also cause nausea since they heighten body awareness. Ensure your sitting position is comfortable, without any internal compression. Avoid meditating on an empty stomach by eating beforehand, and focus on your breath to stay present and minimize discomfort.
Feeling disoriented
Feeling confused or lost after emerging from a deep meditative state is common, especially if interrupted abruptly. This indicates you’ve achieved intense relaxation, allowing easier mental reprogramming with affirmations to boost confidence and overcome negativity.
Sleeping during meditation
Falling asleep during meditation is not a failure; it shows that you’ve achieved deep relaxation. With continued practice, you’ll learn to remain awake while maintaining this serene state of mind.
To stay alert, avoid meditating right after waking up or before sleeping. Be sure your body is fully awake and adjust your inner clock. If morning meditation suits you, splash cold water on your face beforehand.
Feeling Light During Meditation
Lightness during meditation is a natural sensation that occurs when your Qi (vital energy, breath, or spirit in Chinese culture) flows smoothly. This can make your body feel airy or weightless. Even though this is a pleasant feeling and fades quickly, don’t let it distract you from your meditation practice. It happens when you’re deeply relaxed, with mindful breathing, a calm heart rate, and peaceful thoughts.
Focusing on the light sensation can disrupt your meditation. This feeling can also result from the temporary loss of spatial awareness during meditation, causing your body to feel lighter. Feeling light is natural, normal, and safe – a sign of successful progress in your meditation practice.
Spinning Sensations During Meditation
Spinning feelings during meditation can be due to increased oxygen in the body. As we focus on deep breaths, more oxygen and blood reach the brain, causing dizziness or spinning sensations. This can also mean you’re releasing negative emotions or inner worries.
Another theory suggests it’s due to powerful cosmic energy, which is great for spiritual growth as it awakens the Kundalini naturally. In Hinduism, Kundalini is a dormant energy force within us. When awakened, it can feel like flowing water, fire, or wind, which may cause a spinning sensation.
Headaches After Meditation
Several factors can cause headaches after meditation, such as inexperience, improper technique, dehydration, or hunger. Such headaches are common and usually not problematic. However, consult a doctor for severe or persistent pain.
To prevent headaches, practice deep, relaxed breaths without strain. Maintain equal tension throughout your body by inhaling and tensing your muscles, then exhaling and releasing them. Repeat this 6 to 9 times to relax. Adjusting the number of breaths based on comfort can enhance relaxation and meditation quality.
A Feeling of Swaying During Meditation
Experiencing swaying while meditating has spiritual importance. It suggests a kundalini awakening might be happening. Everyone has kundalini energy at their spine’s base, but it’s usually dormant. This powerful life force is more significant than we are.
When it awakens, starting from our spine’s base, it causes us to rock back and forth, especially if sitting during meditation. As this energy flows from your spine to your head, it energizes all your chakras, making you feel grounded, awakened, and fully present.
What are the best ways to eliminate these sensations?
We’ve discussed the potential causes of any discomforting sensations you might experience during or after meditation. Let’s now move on to the solutions.
- Avoid ending your session abruptly: Take your time getting out of the meditative state and take deep breaths. Coming out of meditation is like waking up from sleep, so give yourself adequate time to transition.
- Avoid eating heavy meals: Feeling dizzy might be due to having a heavy meal or drinking too much caffeine. Avoid food or drinks for two hours before meditating.
- Maintain proper breathing: When meditating, let your breath flow naturally through your nose without trying to control it. Observe your breath while gazing slightly upwards at the space between your eyebrows.
- Maintain proper position: If you’re sitting cross-legged, keep your joints flexible by maintaining a loose spine and moving with your breath.
- Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness helps you face dizziness with acceptance rather than resistance, which can worsen symptoms. By becoming more aware of unhelpful thoughts, feelings, and behaviors linked to dizziness, you can choose how to respond and break negative patterns.
- Listen to your body: If the above strategies don’t help, maybe it’s time to rest a bit more before your next meditation session. Dizziness could be your body’s way of telling you it’s exhausted.
Try these tips to alleviate any discomfort during meditation, and consult your doctor if these sensations persist. Experiment with different routines to find out the cause of dizziness.
We also recommend reading our guide on how to meditate properly to fight sensations like dizziness or lightheadedness and other common meditation challenges.
FAQ’s
Do People Feel Lightheaded After Meditation?
Meditation can bring about noticeable bodily changes, such as increased brain blood flow, reduced blood pressure, muscle relaxation, and slower breathing. Feeling lightheaded after meditating is common due to relaxation, and it’s usually not a bad sign. Meditation can even help people with conditions like anxiety and heart issues that may cause dizziness.
Is it normal to feel dizzy after meditation?
Absolutely! Feeling slightly dizzy, lightheaded, or nauseous after meditation is common and usually harmless. It results from changes in breathing and heart rate during deep relaxation. Your body releases tension and balances subtle energies, leading to sensations like dizziness or spinning.
To prevent feeling dizzy after meditation, take time to end your meditation session slowly. If the spinning gets too intense, simply open your eyes to stop it or consult a doctor if you feel very sick.
What should I do if I feel dizzy after meditation?
If you’re experiencing a dizzy and spinning sensation while meditating:
- Immediately stop and take a break.
- Have some water or a light snack if required.
- Relax until you recover.
- Seek medical help if needed.
- Consult a meditation expert or mental health professional.
What Causes Hallucinations During Meditation?
Meditation has been practiced for ages, offering various benefits. People find it calming and useful for focusing and learning new things. However, it may sometimes cause hallucinations. As individuals meditate more, they adapt easily and experience increased concentration and inner peace. This happens due to reduced self-centeredness, a common barrier to tranquility. Hallucinations during meditation might occur because the practice lowers sensory input while enhancing attention and structure. This leads to increased neuroplasticity and may trigger spontaneous brain activity and hallucinations.
Is meditation potentially harmful to my health?
Meditation is usually safe and helpful for most individuals. Nonetheless, it may cause negative effects if done incorrectly or due to existing health concerns. Possible adverse outcomes of meditation are:
- Physical discomfort or meditation-related sickness.
- Emotional or mental distress.
- Feeling confused or disoriented.
- Increased anxiety or depression.
- Altered sleep patterns or appetite.
- Clashing with other medical treatments or medications.
Keep in mind that these negative impacts are uncommon and typically mild. Many who meditate regularly experience significant boosts in their physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
How can I prevent feeling sick during meditation?
To prevent sickness during meditation:
- Start easy, then progress in duration and intensity.
- Meditate in a calm, cozy, and secure space.
- Use correct breathing methods and posture.
- Get advice from an experienced teacher or guide.
- Take breaks and pay attention to your body’s signals.
Conclusion
Experiencing dizziness after meditation isn’t uncommon, but it’s essential to know how to manage it effectively. By adjusting your posture, focusing on your breath, and experimenting with various techniques, you can enhance your meditation experience and keep dizzy spells at bay.
Remember, staying consistent and finding the perfect balance is key to enjoying all the wonderful benefits of a blissful and grounded meditation practice. So go on, embrace your inner zen, and let your mind soar – just don’t forget to find your balance!
