Can mindfulness cause fatigue?
Short Answer
It can feel tiring at first because attention training uses effort and reveals stress. Fatigue can also come from emotional processing. If fatigue persists, shorten sessions and emphasize gentleness and rest.
Why This Matters
The real benefit of mindfulness is carryover—how you respond when you are not meditating. Understanding duration and aftereffects helps you build cues and micro-practices that extend mindfulness into daily life.
Where This Changes
If mindfulness practices disrupt sleep or increase alertness late at night, move practice earlier or switch to gentler body-based grounding. Effects depend on timing, technique, and stress level.