Best Time to Meditate

Learn how to fit meditation into your daily routine! Discover which meditation times work best for you and your schedule,  if lunchtime, bedtime, or working session meditations are appropriate.

Best Time to Meditate

Meditation has become an increasingly popular tool to reduce stress and improve overall well-being. However, many people struggle to find the best time to meditate. The truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to that question. Different people have different schedules and lifestyles that may affect when they can meditate.

However, there are certain factors one should consider when trying to determine the best time to meditate. In this article, we will discuss these factors in more detail and offer some tips on how to find the ideal time to practice meditation.

Morning Meditation

Morning is the most popular time to meditate for meditation newbies and those with regular practice. Morning meditation sets you up for the rest of the day. Early morning times are quiet, and nothing usually fights for your time.

Depending on your meditation goals, you can meditate for however long. Regardless of the time, you can still experience the health benefits. Morning meditation can help you maintain a positive attitude which helps you manage stress better throughout the day.

Benefits of Morning Meditation

Meditation in the morning allows you to avoid being interrupted by texts, calls, or other things interrupting you at home. Cortisol levels are higher in the morning, which allows you to relax before your day and focus on a deep meditation.

After you finish, your mind will be ready for your day, no matter how many things are in your schedule. Your mind is clear, and you have increased mindfulness, allowing you to engage with whatever your day brings. Daily morning meditation can also increase attention, memory, and emotional regulation.

Tips for Morning Meditation

Finding a quiet space with no disturbances or distractions by anything will be easy in the morning. Meditate in an upright or standing position to feel more awake and alert after waking up.

It also reduces the temptation of falling back asleep if you're lying down. Try meditating simultaneously every morning to help you build the habit. Reflect on what you are grateful for, like shelter, family, or a friend, to close out the meditation. It can also help to do morning meditation before you eat breakfast.

Lunch hour Meditation

Lunchtime meditation is great for your well-being because it can reduce the stress that's been building throughout the day. You can detach from work or studying and focus on the present. You will gain more energy to continue to the end of the day.

Benefits of Lunchtime Meditation

You get to take a break and recharge for the afternoon. You might not notice that you are tense or stressed from your morning, so the lunch break is a great time to reflect on your feelings and bring them to a positive side. Lunchtime meditation will help you refocus your headspace.

Tips for Lunchtime Meditation

• It's best to avoid meditating on a full stomach, so eat after or 30 minutes before meditating so that your food can digest.

• Meditation on an empty stomach deepens the experience because you can connect to your bodily needs and allow for mindful eating habits.

• Find a quiet place to meditate, away from your desk, an empty classroom, conference room, or office, and if you are at home, you can sit in a quiet room or on your porch or backyard.

• Try practicing five minutes of slow, intentional breathing to improve focus and concentration. As you practice regularly, you can increase your meditation time from five to 20 minutes.

Evening Meditation

Evening meditation is a great way to wind down from your busy day and prepare to be well-rested. You can practice lying down or sitting to support you if you sleep.

Benefits of Evening Meditation

Evening meditation is perfect as a stress management activity and for those who find it difficult to fall asleep at night. Meditation relieves stress and decreases cortisol levels, while alpha brain waves, a relaxation state, increase.

This calms the nervous system and allows you to focus on the mind. When you meditate regularly, your brain is taught to relax instead of react, reducing the risk of heart problems.

Tips for Evening Meditation

Try meditating ten to 20 minutes before bed if you have trouble falling asleep. Schedule your mediation time so you can set time aside and not feel rushed to practice. Make sure it can integrate into your bedtime routine.

Focus on basic breathing exercises or listen to a guided meditation. Pick something simple when you first begin practicing meditation and go for at least five minutes per day. When you feel comfortable, add another calming activity to your evening routine, such as yoga. Add music to the background if it helps you meditate better.

After Work

Mediation is great for people who have physically demanding or mentally challenging jobs. You relieve body and mind tension and create a boundary between work and personal life.

Tips for Meditating After Work

You take stress felt during work and the commute from work to home. You can meditate as soon as you get home from work. If you can't find a quiet space to meditate in your home, try going outside or to your car. Sit quietly in meditation before walking into your house.

Getting Started With a Meditation Practice

Find a quiet area and a comfortable position. You could lie down, sit on a pillow, bench, chair, or mat, lie down, or stand. Close your eyes and focus on breathing. Breathe in deeply and slowly, in and out through your nose. When other thoughts creep into your mind, return your focus to your breath. Meditate for five to ten minutes daily, and gradually increase the length of your sessions.

A proper daily routine prioritizes healthy habits that follow meditation, such as eating fruits, vegetables, and fibers, going outside for fresh air, and cutting out sugary foods and drinks.

Benefits of a Regular Meditation Practice

There are many benefits to a consistent meditation practice: staying in the present moment, reducing symptoms of stress and anxiety, and improving overall sleep quality.

The most popular type of meditation, mindfulness meditation, has been proven to positively impact mental health, improve focus and concentration, and promote relaxation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to meditate before bed?

Meditating before bed unwinds the mind into a calm state. You will have a restful sleep and may even fall asleep easier and faster. Meditation reduces the effects of chronic insomnia and creates a healthier sleep cycle because meditation increases melatonin, a sleep hormone, and serotonin, a mood-regulating hormone.

Meditation at night is also a great way to practice gratitude and remind yourself of everything you're grateful for.

Why is morning the best time to meditate?

Meditation can benefit you regardless of the time you meditate. Forcing yourself to wake up early will make it harder to commit to meditation regularly. It is about convenience for it to become a habit. Many religious and spiritual practices consider the time before sunrise the best part of the day to meditate. When you wake up, your mind is very calm and open. The morning is a fresh start, and you have yet to engage with anyone, check your phone, or do large labor. Morning meditation brings a sense of calm that stays through the entire day.

How long should you meditate every day?

Start with short meditations between five to 15 minutes.  Refrain from pressuring yourself to meditate for a long period, or you will feel overwhelmed and struggle to maintain regular practice.

Is it good to meditate after a workout?

Yes, meditation acts as a cool-down after a workout. Sit quietly for a few minutes and focus on your breathing to center your mind and ease tension. Try to meditate in the same place you exercised in.

References

When Is the Best Time to Meditate? 

Meditation - Wikipedia 

When Is the Best Time of Day to Meditate? | It Depends on Your Lifestyle

Is There a Best Time To Meditate? Here Are 5 Great Options

When Is the Best Time to Meditate? Morning, Noon, Or? | The Art of Living

What's the Best Time to Meditate?

11 Benefits of Meditation Before Bed • Yoga Basics

How to Use Meditation for Insomnia, Better Sleep

Disclaimer

The contents of this article are provided for informational purposes only. Anahana does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. Anahana encourages consulting a qualified healthcare professional for medical guidance. Anahana is not liable for any errors, omissions, or consequences that may occur from using the information provided.