Common Meditation Problems and How You Can Deal with Them

Amy Taylor July 25, 2016

Meditation is considered one of the best workouts for the mind and body. Its benefits have been widely studied. From boosting our immune system to helping us regulate our emotions properly - meditation has so much to offer.

But for it to be effective, you got to practise it right. Meditation isn’t quite as simple as it seems. Concentrating and getting in the zone are just among the few problems many people who practice this mind-body exercise experience. If you are one of them, don’t worry. Below are the most common meditation blockers and their solutions.

Mental Clutter

If you’ve ever been to a yoga or meditation class, the first thing your teacher would tell you is this - close your eyes, clear your mind, and focus on breathing. It’s easy during the first minute or so. But as time goes by, you can’t stop shifting away from the ‘present’ to your worries - errands you have to make, what you’d cook for dinner, how you are going to pay the bills, etc. Many people who do meditation for the first time get overwhelmed with the expectations about what the practice is supposed to be like. But your goal isn’t to completely clear your mind. It’s actually to be fully aware of the present moment. It’s okay if your mind wanders from time to time. You just have to realise when your mind wanders and acknowledge it. Shift your focus on the present and breathe. It doesn’t matter how many times you do this. Your practise need not be perfect.

Restlessness

Do you struggle at calming your mind and body while meditating? Just because you can’t be still doesn’t mean meditation is not for you. There are many types of meditation, some involve moving. If you aren’t comfortable with the traditional meditation, try walking meditation. It’s fun and just as effective.

Making it a Habit

Just like exercise, making meditation a habit may be more of a challenge for some people. You may find yourself sticking to it for a few days and then totally dropping it. You shouldn’t give it up completely or drag yourself to practising it every day. Don’t feel guilty. The best way is to forgive yourself for missing the session and encourage yourself to try again.

Pain and discomfort

You probably see most people who practice meditation to be doing the crossed-leg sitting position throughout the practise. If you have pain issues or you just find this position uncomfortable, you don’t have to push yourself. Experiment and find the position which makes you relax and breathe comfortably. Also, as you start with the practice, acknowledge any muscle tension or discomfort in any part of your body and release through mindful breathing. You should feel better.

Like any other types of practice, meditation can be challenging at times. But identifying what your meditation blockers are is the first step towards a successful practice. Check in with yourself and examine which of these meditation blockers you can relate. It might lead you to a more meaningful meditation experience.

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