Meditation Breaks: Why You Feel Lousy When You Stop

Why do you feel shitty when you stop meditating?

Meditation has the power to help us stress less, sleep more soundly, and find more focus. However, when we stop meditating, we may find ourselves gradually losing our ability to distance ourselves from our thoughts and feelings. We may become more involved with the negative thoughts that pop into our heads and less able to control ourselves when negative feelings emerge.

For example, one individual shared that they had been meditating consistently for six months and felt a sense of inner peace and calmness, with much more clarity, and no longer identified with their negative thoughts and feelings. As a result, their anxiety was reduced significantly. However, after stopping meditation, they noticed that their ability to distance themselves from their thoughts and feelings gradually diminished, and their anxiety returned.

Another individual who stopped meditating shared that they experienced acid reflux, trouble sleeping, digestive problems, and increased feelings of stress and impatience.

Therefore, it is important to maintain a consistent meditation practice to continue reaping the benefits and avoid feeling shitty.

You may lose the ability to distance yourself from your thoughts and feelings

Meditation is a practice that teaches us to be comfortable with our minds just as they are. It is a technique you use to train your mind. When you meditate, you learn to observe your thoughts and feelings without getting caught up in them. You learn to let them come and go without judgement. However, when you stop meditating, you may lose this ability to distance yourself from your thoughts and feelings.

A Reddit user who practiced mindfulness meditation for six months shared that they stopped meditating because they thought they had "extracted all the benefits from mindfulness meditation and needed it no more." They didn't want to "be like a monk and meditate for the rest of [their] life." However, after a few weeks, they noticed they were gradually losing their ability to distance themselves from their thoughts and feelings. They became more involved with the negative thoughts that popped into their head and had less control over their negative feelings. Their anxiety returned, and they fell back into old habits and behaviours.

Similarly, a blogger who had been meditating regularly to cope with chronic stress and insomnia stopped their practice after the birth of their second child. They soon noticed the early warning signs that all was not well with their mind and health. They started biting their nails again, their insomnia returned, and they became impatient and short-tempered with their family.

When you stop meditating, you may find that you become more reactive to your thoughts and feelings. You may find yourself getting caught up in negative thought patterns or being overwhelmed by difficult emotions. You may also notice physical symptoms, such as acid reflux, digestive problems, or insomnia. These are signs that your mind and body are struggling to cope without the support of your meditation practice.

If you find yourself in this situation, the good news is that you can always start meditating again. Be gentle and compassionate with yourself, and remember that some meditation is better than none. Start with a few minutes of meditation each day, and gradually build up your practice. Find a time of day that works best for you, and try to make it a daily habit. You can also seek support from a meditation app, a meditation group, or a qualified teacher.

You may become more involved with negative thoughts

Meditation can help you distance yourself from your thoughts and feelings, allowing you to observe them without getting caught up in them. When you stop meditating, you may find yourself becoming more entangled with negative thoughts, making it harder to control your emotions when negative feelings arise.

For example, a person who had been meditating consistently for six months shared that they stopped due to laziness and the belief that they had already reaped all the benefits of meditation. A week after stopping, they still felt mostly fine, but after another week, they noticed they were gradually losing their ability to distance themselves from their thoughts and feelings. They became more involved with the negative thoughts that popped into their head and had more difficulty managing negative emotions.

Another person who stopped meditating shared that they started to feel restless and impatient, which was unusual for them. They also noticed an increase in negative self-talk and became more critical of themselves.

When you stop meditating, you may find yourself getting caught up in negative thought patterns and experiencing more negative emotions. This can happen because meditation helps you cultivate a sense of detachment from your thoughts, and when you stop meditating, you may lose that sense of perspective.

It's important to remember that everyone's experience with meditation is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. If you find yourself struggling with negative thoughts after stopping meditation, it may be helpful to resume your practice or explore other techniques to manage your thoughts and emotions.

You may be less able to control yourself when negative feelings emerge

Quitting meditation can cause you to lose the ability to distance yourself from your thoughts and feelings. You may find yourself becoming more and more involved with the negative thoughts that pop into your head. You may be less able to control yourself when negative feelings emerge.

For example, a user on Reddit who had been meditating consistently for 6 months shared that they stopped due to laziness and the belief that they had already extracted all the benefits from mindfulness meditation and no longer needed it. They shared that a week after stopping meditation, they were fine and still did not identify with their thoughts or feelings. However, as more time passed, they noticed that they were gradually losing their ability to distance themselves from their thoughts and feelings. They shared that they were becoming more and more involved with the negative thoughts that popped into their head and were less able to control themselves when negative feelings emerged.

Another user on Reddit shared a similar experience, stating that they had been meditating consistently for a year and then stopped. They shared that when they tried to restart meditation, they were unable to regain the inner sense of peace, joy, and calmness they had felt previously. They would get frustrated within the first few minutes of starting because they would be convinced that they were doing something wrong and would end up abandoning it for the rest of the day. This cycle of frustration whenever they tried to meditate continued, and they shared that they had completely forgotten the skill of not identifying with their thoughts.

Therefore, it is important to maintain a consistent meditation practice to maintain the benefits.

You may experience physical symptoms such as acid reflux, insomnia, and digestive problems

Quitting meditation can have adverse effects on your physical health. For example, one person reported that they experienced acid reflux, insomnia, and digestive problems after they stopped meditating. They also noticed that they were ordering more takeout and shopping online for things they didn't need. Another person shared that they had trouble sleeping and felt impatient after they stopped meditating.

It is important to note that these physical symptoms may occur even if you have been meditating for a long time. In one case, an individual who had been meditating consistently for six months experienced a relapse in their mental health after they stopped meditating. They reported increased anxiety, negative thoughts, and a return to old habits such as smoking weed.

Therefore, maintaining a consistent meditation practice is crucial to maintaining the benefits of meditation and avoiding physical and mental health issues.

You may find it difficult to restart your meditation practice

It is completely normal to find it difficult to restart your meditation practice. You may feel frustrated within the first few minutes of starting because you are convinced that you are doing something wrong and may end up abandoning it for the rest of the day. This cycle of frustration can be difficult to break. However, it is important to remember that meditation is a skill, and like any other skill, it can be forgotten or become rusty if not practised regularly.

You may also find it difficult to restart your meditation practice because you are chasing a particular feeling or state of mind that you previously achieved. This can be counterproductive, as it can lead to disappointment and frustration when you are unable to recreate that feeling. Instead, try to approach each meditation session with a beginner's mind, without any expectations or attachments to specific outcomes.

Another reason why you may find it difficult to restart your meditation practice is that you may have developed negative thoughts or feelings about meditation itself. You may associate meditation with boredom, restlessness, or frustration. It is important to recognise these thoughts and feelings without judgement and gently bring your focus back to your breath. Remember that meditation is a practice of training the mind to accept things as they are, including any obstacles or challenges that may arise.

Additionally, you may find it difficult to restart your meditation practice due to a lack of time or motivation. Finding time to meditate can be challenging, especially if you are feeling overworked and overwhelmed. Try to add meditation to an existing routine, such as meditating when you first wake up, before bed, or during your lunch break. Having a consistent meditation practice can help you stay motivated and committed to your meditation journey.

Finally, you may find it difficult to restart your meditation practice because you are expecting immediate results. Remember that the benefits of meditation are cumulative and may take time to manifest. Be patient with yourself and trust that the practice is working, even if you don't feel any different right away.

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