Does the time of day affect the benefits of meditating? Even though meditation is considered best in the hours before sunrise, most experts say that you should meditate whenever you can.
This makes sense, especially when you consider how many benefits come from carving out some time each day to restore peace and calm.
Let's take a look at the best time for meditation.
The Best Time to Meditate
Although there is no set best time to meditate, there are various times in the day when people may find meditating most fruitful. Below are some suggested times to meditate and gain the maximum benefits out of it.
Meditate in the morning
People often consider the morning to be the best time to meditate. The mind is quiet and fresh in the early hours, which makes it an ideal time to meditate. Since chances of dozing off are much less in the early hours of the day, it is the best time to sit and meditate to set the tone for the rest of the day. This is why it is quite useful to meditate before breakfast as well.
This is the best time to meditate for the greatest benefits. After you wake up in the morning, freshen up and sit in a warm place with the sunlight falling directly on your body. Drink some water before you start to meditate, as it will help you relax. Don’t check the phone until after you finish meditating.
We feel refreshed when we wake up. We don’t have a lot of worries on our minds when we wake up, thus making it the ideal time to set the tone for the rest of the day and set our goals. Although some beginners might find it difficult to form a habit of meditating in the morning, a little practice helps to ease it into the daily routine. It’s okay to start with a few breaths if one finds it hard to start a full routine regularly. This is why a lot of people consider early mornings as the best time to meditate.
Meditate after work
A few people prefer meditating after they have finished work, and for a good reason. If your job is a mentally challenging or a physically demanding one, then meditation is an excellent way to relieve the tension. Meditating after work, although not widely considered as the best time to do meditation, is still convenient for a lot of people. It also helps to set a clear boundary between your work life and personal life.
If you can have a regular “you” time, then it leaves you free to spend quality time with your close friends and family or pursue a hobby of your choice. After you’re back from work, try to sit back and relax for a few minutes with your eyes closed. Take a few deep breaths and breathe out slowly. After five minutes of doing this, sit in a straight posture and start meditating.
Meditate during the lunch hour
Lunch-time meditation can offer a break from the busy daily schedule of work. Meditating during the daytime works as a great stress buster and relaxes you before attending a particularly demanding meeting or talking to an important client. You can recline on your seat or a yoga mat and try to picture something soothing, something which rinses away all your worries. When you feel calm, slowly gather yourself together in an upright fashion and start meditating.
Workplaces and offices increasingly have a dedicated yoga or meditation room to boost the well-being and productivity of their employees. The lunch break can be a good time to follow guided meditations. You can also make it a habit if you practise it daily over time.
Meditate whenever you feel overwhelmed or stressed out
There are plenty of moments in our life when we can feel overburdened or overwhelmed, whether at work or at home. When that happens, try meditating instead of turning to mindless television, alcohol, or drugs.
Meditation helps us observe what’s going on in our minds and bodies without having to react. With time, we can develop a practice and can analyse situations without reacting immediately to them. This helps to improve the quality of our life. When you feel stressed out, try some breathing exercises to calm you down before you start your meditation.
Meditate before bedtime
Many people consider the time just before bedtime as the most effective time to meditate. Since you’re usually relieved from all duties before bedtime, it can be the ideal time to have some time to yourself and focus your mind on deep thoughts. Many people choose the time before bedtime as the ideal time for meditation since they feel that it will help them sleep well. You can listen to some soothing music to help you relax before you start your meditation.
Also Read: Yoga for High Blood Pressure: 9 Yoga Poses to Try if You Have High BP
Is it better to meditate before or after exercise?
Many people feel that it is best to meditate before a workout since it helps in relaxing your muscles right before plunging into hardcore exercise and also helps you focus better on your workout routines. On the other hand, meditating post a workout can help you in ‘recovering’ from the soreness that a hard routine can cause. It also freshens you up immediately after a workout is over.
Tips for meditating better
- While meditating, sit upright and without any back support. This posture will help you concentrate better while meditating.
- If you feel that you are distracted easily, then you can write down a list of the things that distract you from meditating and try to avoid them after closing your eyes.
- You can use calm and soothing music to pull you into a trance and help you to concentrate better and focus more easily.
- Don’t push yourself too hard to concentrate on a single point. Train your mind gradually, and ease yourself into it.
How to Get Started With Meditation?
1. Choose a convenient time
Since meditation is essentially relaxation, pick a time when you will not be disturbed, have the freedom to enjoy yourself, and will not be disturbed. Sunrise and sunset are good times to meditate. These hours are the time when there is a serene calm at home too, which will help you to meditate easily.
2. Choose a quiet place
In addition to choosing a convenient time, choose a quiet and peaceful area that is quiet and peaceful where you will not be disturbed. Such a place can make meditation more relaxing and enjoyable for a beginner.
3. Sit in a comfortable posture
Maintain a relaxed posture, sit comfortably as much as possible, keep your shoulders and neck relaxed, and close your eyes throughout the process.
4. Keep a relatively empty stomach
Whether you meditate at home or at work, it is best to do so on an empty stomach. The reason is simple: after eating, you may fall asleep while meditating.
The hunger cramps may prevent you from meditating when you are hungry. You may even think about food the entire time. Give yourself a few hours after eating to meditate.
5. Start with a few warm-ups
Warming up with sukshma yoga (subtle Yoga exercises) before starting to meditate increases circulation, removes inertia and restlessness, and makes the mind and body feel lighter.
6. Take a few deep breaths
A good tip for easy meditation is to take deep breaths and even do Nadi Shodhan Pranayama before beginning the meditation. That will help to keep your breath steady and lead you into a peaceful state of mind.
7. Open your eyes slowly and gently
When you reach the end of the meditation, don't rush opening your eyes or moving your body right away. Slowly open your eyes and become aware of your surroundings, then slowly move your body; you're ready to face the day!
Summing Up on Best Time to Meditate
Meditation may help restore calm and improve mental and emotional health for everyone, depending on their lifestyle and ability to commit to a specific time block in their schedule.
Although some say that one should meditate at an ideal time, you should create a schedule that works for you.
