Why Meditation Sometimes Doesn’t Work (and What to Do Instead)

In this episode, we’re diving into a topic that rarely gets talked about: the moments when meditation doesn’t actually help (and may even make things worse). I share my own experience of forcing meditation when my nervous system was in overdrive, and why stillness felt more like frustration than support. Together we’ll explore why meditation isn’t a one-size-fits-all tool, the role of the nervous system in making stillness possible, and how yoga postures, breathwork, and movement were originally designed to prepare the body for meditation. You’ll also learn practical alternatives to sitting practice to meet yourself where you are. Whether you’re a beginner or a long-time practitioner, this conversation reframes meditation as a practice of compassion, not pressure, and reminds us that true presence begins with grounding in the body. For (free!) meditations visit my substack. Loving the podcast? Leaving a rating or review helps more than you know—it truly makes our day. You can also find TMR on Instagram , TikTok , & Youtube . The Morning Ritual is produced by The Space (London) with end to end video production by Charlene Huskinson. Advertising Inquiries:

You can listen to Why Meditation Sometimes Doesn’t Work (and What to Do Instead) online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Why Meditation Sometimes Doesn’t Work (and What to Do Instead) is an episode from The Morning Ritual by Lilly Macfarlane.

This episode is 28:59 long.

This episode was published on Oct 1, 2025.

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