If you find yourself dozing off while meditating, don't be alarmed. This is usually a sign that your body is responding to the thoughts, emotions, and sensations that are present within you. Falling asleep is not a sign of failure, but rather a sign that you are a relaxed (and possibly exhausted) meditator. Studies have shown that all levels of meditation depth result in an increase in alpha brainwaves compared to resting states.
Deeper states of meditation have been associated with an increase in theta waves and a decrease in central beta and low gamma waves. In other words, brainwaves associated with alertness and problem-solving decrease while relaxation-related brainwaves increase. It's also common to feel sleepy during meditation after eating a large meal. The digestion process can draw energy away from the brain, resulting in a mental fog.
Active brainwaves during meditation may be similar to those in the early stages of sleep, so it's natural to feel drowsy from time to time. If your sleepiness becomes a major obstacle to your practice, it could be due to lack of sleep, chronic fatigue, or an illness. If this is the case, it's best to consult with your doctor. One way to help make the mind calm and make meditation easier is to keep the body still for some time.
The body and mind are connected, so when the body is still, the mind will also become calmer and eventually settle down. When someone is new to meditation or visualization, one of their main concerns is falling asleep. Even experienced meditators can find themselves nodding off sometimes. According to Headspace, this can be due to difficulty finding the right balance between concentration and relaxation when starting out.
Deepak Chopra suggests that falling asleep during meditation can be caused by lack of sleep and recommends going to bed on time as a solution.
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