How Should You Feel After Meditation?

You sit down, cross-legged on your yoga mat. You close your eyes and begin to breathe deeply. In, and then out. In, and then out. You notice your thoughts start to slow down. The anxiety that’s been weighing on you for days begins to dissipate. You feel more present, more in the moment.

But then, just as you’re about to reach a state of zen-like tranquility, you hear a dog barking in the distance and your mind is immediately pulled back into reality. “Am I doing this right?” you wonder. 

There’s no one answer to that question, because everyone experiences meditation differently. Some people find that they’re able to clear their minds entirely and focus only on their breath. Others find that their thoughts continue to chatter away throughout the entire practice.

And that’s okay! The goal of meditation isn’t to silence your thoughts completely, but rather to learn how to observe them without getting caught up in them. 

Different Ways People Feel After Meditation

what will you feel after meditating

Some people feel incredibly relaxed and at peace after meditating, others may feel restless or even angry. Here, we’ll explore some of people’s most common emotions after meditation and what they mean.

Calmness:

One of the most common emotions people feel after meditation is calmness. If you feel more level-headed and even-keeled after a session, that’s perfectly normal.

In fact, it’s one of the main goals of meditation! When we meditate, we’re training our mind to focus on the present moment and letting go of the chatter and stress of daily life.

So if you’re feeling calm after your practice, congratulations—you’re doing it right!

Contentment:

Along with calmness, many people feel contentment or satisfaction after meditation. This is because meditation helps us connect with our true selves and find happiness.

If you’re feeling content after your practice, it means you’re on the right track! Keep up the good work.

Relaxation:

Feeling relaxed after meditation is also very common. This is because we consciously release tension from our bodies and minds when we meditate.

Remember to take some deep breaths throughout the day to help keep your stress levels in check.

Peacefulness:

For some people, meditation brings about a sense of peace and well-being. This is because we can be more present and connected in our daily lives when we’re at peace with ourselves.

If you’re seeking peace, try meditating daily for a few minutes.

Restlessness:

It’s not unusual to feel restless after meditation, especially if you’re new to the practice. This is because when we sit still and quiet our minds, we may become aware of previously hidden feelings or thoughts.

If you feel restless after your practice, try journaling or talking to a friend about what you’re experiencing. The important thing is to not bottle up your emotions—allow them to flow freely so that you can process them and move on.

Anger or frustration:

Feeling angry or frustrated after meditation is also relatively common. These emotions often arise when we become aware of troubling patterns in our thinking or behavioral patterns that no longer serve us well.

If you feel angry or frustrated after your practice, try to use those emotions as fuel to make positive changes in your life. Remember, everything starts with awareness!

Crying:

Finally, some people find that they cry during or after their practice. This can happen for a variety of reasons, but often it’s because crying is a release—a way to let go of built-up emotional baggage that we’ve been holding onto for too long.

If you cry during or after your practice, let the tears flow and don’t judge yourself for them. They are a natural and necessary part of the healing process.

Why Do You Feel Angry And Frustrated After Doing Meditation?

Why Do You Feel Angry And Frustrated After Doing Meditatio

You’re not supposed to feel angry and frustrated after doing meditation. In fact, you’re supposed to feel the opposite.

Meditation is supposed to help you find inner peace, calm your mind, and relax your body. So why do some people find that instead of feeling peaceful and calm, they feel agitated and even more stressed out after meditating? Let’s take a look at a few possible reasons.

1. You’re holding on to anger. 

If you’re holding on to anger, chances are that you’re not going to find much peace during meditation.

Meditation is all about letting go of your thoughts and emotions, and if you’re still hanging on to anger, it’s going to be difficult to let go of anything else.

If you find yourself feeling angry after meditating, it may be a sign that you need to work on forgiving yourself or someone else.

Once you’ve let go of that anger, you’ll probably find it easier to let go of other negative emotions as well.

2. You’re trying too hard. 

Putting too much pressure on yourself to “achieve” something during meditation can actually have the opposite effect of what you want.

Meditation is not about forcing yourself to think (or not think) certain thoughts; it’s about letting your thoughts come and go naturally without judgment or attachment.

If you are frustrated because you can’t seem to “turn off” your thoughts, it may be helpful to back off a bit and allow yourself to experience the act of meditating without any expectations or goals. Just let whatever happens happen.

3. You’re not in the right environment. 

If your environment is not conducive to relaxation, it can make it difficult to relax during meditation.

Make sure that when you’re meditating, you’re in a place where there are no distractions (e.g., television, phone, people).

If possible, try to meditate in a quiet place outdoors where you can focus on nature’s sounds instead of the city’s noise.

Creating an environment that promotes relaxation will make it easier for your mind and body to relax.

1. Try a different type of meditation:

If you’re finding that traditional seated meditation isn’t working for you, there are plenty of other options. There are walking meditations, guided meditations, mantra meditations…the list goes on. Find one that resonates with you and give it a try. 

2. Set realistic expectations:

Meditation is a practice, not a magic pill, that will instantly fix all of your problems. It takes time, consistency, and patience to see results. Don’t expect to sit down for one session and feel completely different afterward. 

3. Talk to your teacher:

If you’re taking a class or working with a meditation teacher, communicate your experiences and feelings honestly. They can offer additional support and guidance tailored specifically for you. 

4. Be patient:

As we said before, meditation requires time and consistency to see results. The anger and frustration you’re feeling might not go away overnight, but if you stick with it, eventually, you will start to see a difference. 

5. Seek professional help:

If you’re struggling with anger or frustration outside of your meditation practice and during it, we recommend seeking professional help from a therapist or counselor who can offer additional support. 

Conclusion

So, how should you feel after meditation? The answer is: it depends! Everyone experiences meditation differently and there is no one “right” way to feel afterwards.

Remember that whatever emotions or thoughts come up for you during or after your session are perfectly normal—and it’s okay if you don’t always feel calm or peace!

Trust that the practice will benefit you in ways you cannot even imagine right now and be patient with yourself as you develop a consistent practice over time!