5 Reasons “Mindful” Meditation May Not Work for You

Biohacking wellness makes it increasingly possible for one to take charge of their physical, mental, and emotional conditions. Today, individuals, companies, and the scientific and medical communities see the potential of working with our bodies in reshaping treatments and optimizing health. Many biohacks can relieve stress, boost your sex life, and even allow you to get comfortable on your period.

One example of an effective biohack is mindful meditation. Also called mindfulness, it is a type of contemplative practice where you focus on the present moment alone. Directing your attention to the “now” enables you to become intensely aware of everything you are sensing and feeling. So it should be a good thing, right? However, despite your keen interest, you may think you’re not cut out for mindful meditation. Before you give it up entirely, hear us out. It isn’t just yourself who may be having the same unfruitful experience. This blog post will explore why “mindful meditation” may not work for you and how you can get out of your reflection rut. 

Why mindfulness isn’t happening for you 

Reason No.1: Peer pressure

When your friends share their own experiences about their mindful meditation journeys, you may feel pressured to have the same emotions, thoughts, and outcomes. For instance, they may talk about how mindfulness has made a dramatic impact that has allowed them to overhaul their relationships or boost productivity. But unfortunately, all this positive feedback about meditating may make you think it should be the same for everyone. And if you don’t mirror their opinions, then maybe something is the matter with you.

Know that mindfulness, just like any practice or workout, will have a different effect on different people. It isn’t a one-size-fits-all thing where everyone gets the same “number” of benefits or receives the same “kind of wellness dose.” 

Reason No.2: You’re not seeing the entire picture

Perhaps you perceive mindfulness as a sweet, fluffy adventure where you encounter unicorns and fairies. Maybe you picked up this idea from social media, where mindfulness gurus abound. You see them in tranquil and inspired nature backdrops in their cute outfits and spick-and-span meditative gear without a care in the world. They seem to be able to jump in and out of it just like that—and you think you should be able to do so yourself effortlessly.

In reality,  being mindful doesn’t come with a magic button that will launch you into blissful mode. Keep in mind that mindfulness can be a dynamic state of mind. Accept that you can get distracted by powerful thoughts that can disrupt your meditative state. Some of these may even be negative. Instead of getting frustrated with yourself, pause and simply embrace what’s going on. 

Reason No.3: You’re still at the beginning of your mindfulness journey

When you have skin concerns and take medication or apply a product, do you expect to see results overnight? Even topical or oral applications take time to work, and there may even be different treatment periods for each individual.

You may also take more (or less) time than others to get into a mindful state—there’s no “ideal set schedule.” Like muscle memory, it takes time to train your mind and body to focus. The more you practice, the more opportunities you’ll have to strengthen your mental skills to pay more attention to the present moment. So simply continue to keep at it and leave your expectations and self-judgment at the door. 

Reason No.4: Traumatic experiences may hold you back

If you are a trauma survivor, the practice of meditation may come with certain risks. Mindfulness can connect you to your innermost feelings, which may lie buried within you for some time. This can be beneficial to many people, but for those who have had traumatic experiences, focusing on your thoughts and emotions might bring back emotional scars. This can be disorienting and may cause much distress, resulting in a loss of focus.

However, mindful meditation can help trauma survivors develop skills that can enhance their psychological and emotional recovery with the proper modifications. With the right resources and practitioners, they can increase their ability to self-regulate and be more compassionate instead of judgmental with themselves. 

Reason No.5: You’re winging it alone   

It’s easy to make the mistake of going solo on their meditation journey. It is indeed a very personal experience. However, the help of family, friends, and able professionals can give you access to resources that can support and encourage you along the way. 

Undo’s Natural Meditation app is one such powerful aid that activates the healing process from within to allow you to recover from life and achieve your optimal state via a proven non-technique approach. Achieve your best self without struggling with techniques and thinking—download Undo via the App Store or Google Play today!