It’s no secret that meditation can have some pretty amazing benefits. From reducing stress and anxiety to improving focus and concentration, there’s a lot to love about this ancient practice. But like anything, it’s possible to have too much of a good thing.
While there’s no such thing as “too much” meditation when it comes to improving your mental health, there are downsides to excessive meditation. For one, it can lead to burnout. If you’re constantly striving for that perfect meditative state, you may eventually find yourself feeling worn out and stressed.
Additionally, over-meditating can also cause you to become overly attached to the practice, leading to feelings of frustration or disappointment if you can’t reach that state of perfect bliss. So, while meditation is definitely a worthwhile endeavor, make sure to moderate your practice and listen to your body. Too much of anything can be detrimental, even something as seemingly innocent as meditation.
Let’s delve deeper, and look at some of the downside of meditating too much.
It Can Have Physical Side Effects
Meditation is often touted as a panacea for all sorts of ills, but it’s important to remember that it isn’t always a positive experience. In fact, too much meditation can have some physical side effects.
These can include pressure in the head, involuntary movements, headaches, fatigue, weakness, gastrointestinal problems, and dizziness. While these effects are usually mild and temporary, they can be quite uncomfortable.
So if you’re new to meditation, it’s important to start slow and build up gradually. And if you start to experience any negative side effects, it’s best to stop meditating and consult with a doctor.
You May Relive Past Trauma
Some people find that after meditating excessively, they relive negative memories and emotions. This can take the form of flashbacks, where the person relives the experience in their mind as if it’s happening again in the present moment.
This can be extremely distressing, and can lead to panic, anxiety, fear, paranoia, depression, and grief. If you find that you’re reliving traumatic experiences after meditation, it’s important to seek professional help.
A therapist can help you process the experience and work through the emotions in a safe and healthy way.
You May Relive Past Traumas
If you meditate for long periods of time, you may find that you lose interest in activities that you used to enjoy. You may also start to feel disconnected from the people around you. In extreme cases, too much meditation can lead to a complete lack of motivation.
This is because meditation can cause you to focus more on your inner thoughts and emotions, which can be both positive and negative. If you find that you are losing motivation, it may be time to take a break from meditation and explore other interests.
It May Cause a Shift in Sensory Perceptions
In some cases, people who meditate excessively may start to experience changes in their sensory perception. Visions, hallucinations, and illusions are not uncommon, and many people also report increased sensitivity to light and noise.
While these changes can be disorienting, they are usually temporary and will subside as soon as you stop meditating. However, it is important to be aware of the potential risks before you start, so that you can avoid any unwanted surprises.
It Can Prompt Negative Thinking
It’s no secret that meditation can have a profound effect on your thinking. But what happens if you meditate too much? In some cases, it can actually lead to negative thinking. Excessive meditation can make you more prone to delusional or irrational thoughts.
And in extreme cases, it can even prompt paranormal thoughts. Of course, not everyone who meditates will experience these negative effects. But if you find that your thinking is becoming increasingly dark or troubling, it might be time to cut back on your meditation practice. By doing so, you can help protect your mental health and well-being.
Signs You Are Meditating Too Much
Poor Grooming Habits
One of the dangers of excessive meditation is that it can lead to poor grooming habits. When people become obsessed with achieving a state of enlightenment, they often neglect their physical appearance.
They may go unshaven and unkempt, with unbrushed hair and dirty clothes. In extreme cases, they may even neglect basic hygiene, leading to an unpleasantly pungent scent. While there is nothing wrong with letting go of material possessions, it is important to take care of your body as well.
Euphoric Feelings
Too much meditation can lead to some erratic or inappropriate behaviors. This is because meditation can cause audio and visual delusions, as well as feelings of euphoria. While these effects are generally short-lived, they can be disruptive to your daily life.
If you find that you’re experiencing any negative side effects from meditation, it’s important to cut back on your practice. As with anything, moderation is key when it comes to meditation.
Chronic Fatigue
When done to excess, meditation can lead to chronic fatigue. Symptoms of this condition include irritability, drowsiness, and dizziness. However, it’s important to note that chronic fatigue is not the same as simply being tired.
It’s a more severe condition that can impact many aspects of your life. If you find that you’re struggling to cope with day-to-day tasks, it’s important to speak to a doctor or other healthcare professional. Excessive meditation is not something to be taken lightly.
Final Word
While meditation can help you soothe your mind, body, heart and soul, excessive meditation can actually backfire. It may seem strange, but too much meditation can often lead to a form of addiction, which has severe physical and mental side-effects.
If you are stuck in such a vicious cycle, it is better to seek professional help. The symptoms and signs mentioned above are perfectly cureable, and with professional attention, you can go back to living a happy healthy life. Lastly, like anything, meditation too should be practiced in moderation.
