Meditation can be life-changing, but it’s not always easy. After 25 years of meditation, I’ve encountered plenty of pitfalls. From physical health scares to mind-bending moments of confusion, I’ve learned the hard way. These 7 meditation mistakes might surprise you, but I’m sharing them so you can avoid them in your own practice.
1. Meditating While Gaming: A Dangerous Combo
In my early years of meditation, I thought I could multitask. I combined gaming with meditation—until it almost led to a seizure. A study in Epilepsy & Behavior warns that certain types of meditation can trigger seizure-like events in non-epileptics. This is a rare occurrence, but a powerful reminder: always separate intense mental activities like gaming and meditation. Give yourself at least 30 minutes between the two to stay safe. Incidentally, meditation helps gamers, just not if you meditate while you’re playing.
2. Meditating Too Much: The Dizziness and Dissociation Trap
After a health scare, I turned to meditation to ease my anxiety. But meditating for hours on end only made things worse. I began to feel dizzy and detached from my body. Research published in Psychophysiology shows that meditation, particularly mindfulness, can lower blood pressure, leading to dizziness. Grounding practices like Body Scan helped me regain balance. Meditation is meant to heal, not harm, so it’s crucial to find the right balance. Meamwhile, by conintually detaching from thoughts and feelings as we do in Vipassana, we can cause ourselves dissociation.
3. The ‘Meditation Nap’ Mistake
We’ve all been tempted to lie down for a quick meditation session—and then fallen asleep. A short “meditation nap” can be a great way to relax, but it shouldn’t be the foundation of your practice. Research shows that naps improve cognitive function and reduce stress, but for real progress, aim for at least one session a day without dozing off.
4. Only Doing Mindful Breathing: Missing Out on Benefits
When I started meditating, I only focused on mindful breathing, thinking it was the “right” way. But over time, I realized there are many meditation techniques for different needs. Loving Kindness meditation can improve emotional health and relationships, while somatic meditation helps heal trauma. As you grow in your practice, explore different techniques to unlock the full potential of meditation.
5. Using Meditation as an Escape: Avoiding Real Problems
Meditation is a powerful tool for reducing stress, but it’s easy to use it as a way to escape problems. I’ve fallen into this trap—meditating to avoid dealing with financial stress. However, research published in Mindfulness shows that using meditation to dissociate can make underlying issues worse. Meditation should empower you to face challenges, not run away from them.
6. Overdoing the Silence: Why Some Meditation Can Feel Isolating
Spending long hours meditating in silence isn’t always a solution. At one point, I isolated myself, thinking it would bring peace. But silence can sometimes feel like a barrier to connecting with others. Incorporating meditation into daily life—including social connections—can lead to greater emotional well-being.
7. Ignoring the Mind-Body Connection
Meditation isn’t just mental. Ignoring the physical aspects of meditation, like posture or breathwork, can lead to tension and discomfort. Pay attention to how your body feels during your practice, and use mindful movement techniques like yoga to integrate body awareness with meditation.
Why These Mistakes Matter
If you’re just starting meditation, or if you’ve been practicing for years, these mistakes are opportunities for growth. The key is to find the right balance and avoid falling into patterns that could hurt your mental or physical well-being.
Avoid These Common Meditation Mistakes
Learn from my experience and start building a more mindful meditation practice today. Why not join me for a private meditation lesson today.
Sources:
Paul Harrison is a meditation teacher with 20+ years of experience and a deep passion for helping others. Known for his empathy and authentic approach, he’s dedicated to guiding individuals and teams toward mindfulness, clarity, and well-being.