Is it bad if you fall asleep while meditating?

This is my most-asked question about meditation! Read on and I think it will make you feel better.

Q: Is it OK if I Fall Asleep While Meditating or Practicing Reiki?

A: YES!

I get this question often. If you've had a Reiki session with me, you know it's OK to fall asleep on the Reiki table (and snore, fart, cry, etc., because it's YOUR time for YOUR healing; I just channel Reiki!)

I've fallen asleep in every morning meditation I've done for two weeks now. (Even though I meditate in the morning so that I don't fall asleep, haha). I don't fall asleep doing yoga, so now I do that first thing when I wake up and meditate after...in hopes I don't snooze.

What does it mean if you fall asleep when you meditate?

It means you need rest. So take it! REST! I always need more sleep around the time of the full moon. 🌕 But regulating my nervous system has been a struggle lately due to construction noise where I live. (And other noise, as you'll read below).

Don't question it; when your body signals that it needs more rest, you may not be aware of why. Just let it happen. In meditation, we ideally calm down and go within. This creates an ideal safe space for the nervous system, we let go, and we fall asleep.

There are times I fall asleep during meditation or yoga nidra and times I don't. I used to judge myself harshly for this—and there's absolutely no logical reason to do that.

If you don't want to fall asleep during meditation, try a different position, like sitting up. I find I'm more likely to fall asleep if I'm laying on my yoga mat, laying in bed, or relaxing in a chair.

You can also meditate at a time of day when you have the most energy. Or, set a timer so that an alarm goes off in order to prevent you from sleeping. Another option is...to be OK with falling asleep. 😉 Your meditation practice isn't "less than" because of it and neither are you.