I started meditaion around 3 months ago but I developed insomnia after I started it. What should I do?

Question

I started meditation (mantra meditation) 3 months ago.
I used to do it two times a day with each session
extending upto 30 mins.

But after I started meditating, I developed
middle/terminal insomnia. I would go to bed at 10 pm
and would sleep in 10-15 mins. But I would wake up
around 3-4 am and after that it would very
light/disturbed sleep.

I discussed this with few meditaion experts and they
said that because meditaion results in
de-stressing, the process should be very gradual and
should be done in moderation. They advised me to do
meditaion only in the morning for 20 mins and continue
at that level for next 6 months to 1 year.

But with this the problem is I am not able to unwind myself in the evening from the day's activities. I am going to bed with all the stress and anxiety.

So doing meditaion in the evening is causing one problem, and not doing it is causing another problem. How can I solve this?

Answer 1

Take time in the evening to do some journaling. Write down thoughts and feelings, just to unwind from the day. This time also gives you a chance to list on paper things you have to do tomorrow (so you can relaease it from your memory). Making lists may also help, list things you worry about but can't do anything about...then you don't have to hold onto it anymore.

Answer 2

Start a schedule of exercise along with your meditation schedule (whether they are timed together, or one in the morning and one in the evening, you should perhaps experiment to see what works best for your body). Whether aerobic exercise, or yoga or any other kind, as long as it is something physical, it will also get your body chemicals rushing, boost your metabolism during the daytime and make you tired enough to want more sleep. Another thing that can help (along with the exercise) is to spend some time during the day exposed to sunlight, at least once in the morning and once in the afternoon. This will help your circadian rhythms encourage sleep during the night. Meditation along with physical exercise and outdoors exposure is an excellent combination for health.

Answer 3

Which mantra are you reciting? The vibrational capabilities of the mantra may be doing this.
In today's world the Best Mantra Meditation is thru the recitation of Gayatri Mantra.
Details of Gayatri Mantra & its meditational Procedures with FREE DOWNLOADABLE COMPLETE BOOKS written by Pt. Shriram Acharyaji , the Rishi who is the undisputed master for Gayatri in this world is available at :

http://www.awgp.org

Answer 4

STOP MEDITATING temporarily (for a week or so) and see if your sleep returns to normal. If so, then maybe you need to re-start meditation very gradually, like for just 5 minutes at a time, increasing the time gradually.

Answer 5

One way to unwind during all times is to exercise rather than meditate. Laughter releases stress as well. Anyone in your family have a good sense of humor? You might use that memeber if you have one.

Answer 6

Your problem doesn't have to do with the meditation. Your problem is the stress, which comes from whatever you do all day. Maybe look for a less stressful job.

Answer 7

honestly I don't believe it is the meditation, I believe it is your liver giving you problems. there is a cycle to our organs and the 3am cycle is the liver. Do the meditation before you go to bed to destress and get your liver checked by a doctor or a kinesiologist or rub your liver area in a circle a few minutes each day.

Answer 8

There are many kinds of meditation, change the type, you may go thru many different types on your journey b4 u find the one that "fits" u.

Answer 9

try changing the routine time for practicing

Answer 10

Learn to relax.