Meditation is a way to achieve relaxation and better control stress, which has other advantages. However, finding the right time for meditation in everyday life is complicated. The topic of this article is identifying the best time for meditation and the importance of dedicating the right time to do it. Also, in this article, we introduce methods that you can use to make meditation a daily habit more easily.
Benefits of meditation
It is good to know first why meditation is helpful. This usefulness has many reasons, the most common of which are:
- Stress reduction: One of the reasons many people meditate is to reduce stress. According to research, meditation reduces anxiety symptoms, including restlessness, depression, and chronic pain.
- Improving the quality and quantity of sleep: Meditation helps increase relaxation and reduce the influx of disturbing thoughts during sleep. Research conducted in this regard indicates that meditation improves sleep quality and quantity.
- Increasing concentration and attention: Another positive point of meditation is its connection with increasing concentration and attention. If you are often distracted or have poor concentration, meditation can improve your attention span and ability to focus on your tasks.
Meditation has other benefits; for example, it balances your blood pressure, strengthens the immune system, and reduces the hormone cortisol secretion. So if you want to maintain your physical and mental health, include meditation in your daily routine.
Why take time to meditate?
In today’s fast-paced world, we quickly get caught up in the daily grind and forget to care for ourselves. We will feel better sitting in a quiet place for a few minutes daily and breathing calmly.
Therefore, if you want to improve the health of your mind and body, set aside time for meditation. You will probably be surprised by the effects of meditation.
The right time for meditation
Does the time you meditate have anything to do with your mind, body, and well-being? For many, the best time to meditate is in the morning, but even if you can’t dedicate time to this practice, meditation at any other time is good for your body and mind. When is the best time to meditate? Although the best time should suit your schedule, meditating at certain times increases its benefits.
1. Morning
When you have just woken up and are not yet caught up in household and business responsibilities, you are more focused and open-minded, which makes meditation more effective.
The duration of meditation depends on your goals and plans. However, even 5 minutes of meditation will make you start your day with vitality and health.
According to research, daily meditation in a short period improves memory performance, attention power, and emotion control.
Meditation at the beginning of the day keeps you calm and positive, thinking about the stresses that happen to you during the day.
2. Lunch break time
Use lunchtime if you can’t meditate first thing in the morning. This is a great way to get away from the workspace and regain energy for the evening.
3. Evening meditation
Ending the workday with meditation will bring back the lost peace and promise restful sleep. This is especially effective when you have insomnia or go over all the day’s events in your mind before going to sleep.
If you usually have insomnia, try a 10-20 minute meditation session before bed. Focusing on breathing exercises or using guided audio meditation techniques to help calm the mind and sleep better are also helpful.
4. After coming home from work
Many people have the highest amount of distress and stress y at this time, which takes away peace from people and encourages them to binge eat. With the help of meditation, you can reduce these pressures and return your mind from work settings to home settings.
5. after exercise
If you’re feeling burned out or stressed after a workout at the gym, yoga class, or strenuous hike, meditation is for you. Sit quietly for a few minutes and focus on your breathing. This exercise increases mental concentration and reduces emotional tension after exercise.
To get the best results, do meditation in the same place where you do sports exercises. This will link the relaxation of meditation to your workout space and help you relax after exercise.
6. When you need peace
Along with dedicated time, it’s good to be flexible and be able to meditate whenever you need to. If you feel stressed or anxious, take a few minutes away from the source of distress and impaired mood and give your mind to meditation.
When choosing the right time for meditation, prioritize your mental health. If you feel overwhelmed, restless, or upset, take a few minutes to focus on breathing and clear your mind of all thoughts of the past and future.
There are many ideal times to meditate, but the best time is when you can fit it into your daily schedule. Always prioritize your mental health and contemplate when you need it.
Meditation at your desired time
As we said, the best time to meditate is when it fits into your daily schedule. Although there are many ideal times, finding a time that works for you and making meditation a habit is essential.
Creating a new habit requires continuous effort and time. You can make the habit-forming process more accessible by choosing a time to meditate; select a time that allows you to meditate daily. If you find it challenging to meditate early in the morning, meditate during your lunch break or in the evenings after work. However, the more days you meditate, the more likely it is to become a daily habit.
You may not be comfortable with meditation at home; You can listen to guided audio meditations prepared by instructors while commuting or walking.
According to a 2022 study, morning and evening, meditation reduce anxiety and increase mindfulness. Researchers have concluded that meditation improves mental health regardless of whether it is done in the morning or the evening.
How to make meditation a habit?
Slowness and consistency are significant in the way of meditation. Some important points for a better start to meditation are:
- Find a relaxing place: You can meditate sitting, lying down, or even standing. Just make sure you are comfortable and not distracted by your body.
- Breathe with focus: As soon as you find the right place, close your eyes and take a few breaths. Inhale and exhale deeply and slowly through the nose.
- When thoughts come, you keep breathing: Different ideas come to your mind while meditating; this is normal. Let them go as they come, and you stay focused on breathing.
- Start with a short session: Start meditating with short sessions of 5 to 10 minutes and gradually increase the duration of each meditation session as it becomes easier for you.
Conclusion
In this article, we talked about the importance of meditation for physical and mental health and explained that it is essential to devote time to meditation every day. Mornings, evenings, after work, and before bed are suggested times for reflection, but ultimately it is up to you to choose the best time. After selecting the time, making meditation a daily habit can be challenging, but applying the tips in this article will make meditation an integral part of your life.
We look forward to reading your views on meditation. If you use specific methods or have a particular time for meditation, please write to us.
Warning! This article is only for educational purposes; to use it, it is necessary to consult a doctor or specialist.
