Meditation helps us discover and reconnect with our inner selves, cultivate resilience, feel at peace, exercise focus and concentration. It is an amazing tool that can be extremely beneficial for not only our daily lives, but even our general health levels and overall well-being.
However, even taking into account all the amazing benefits of meditation, sometimes it can be quite hard to find time for it. While there is no “right” or “wrong” time for meditation, there certainly is a best time to meditate. So, when is it?
What is the best time to meditate?
According to experts, the best time to meditate is rather personal and varies based on different people. So, what can be considered the best time to meditate? The answer is, whenever it feels right for you.
When you get an inner “calling” to meditate, that is generally a good time to try it out. This usually means that your mind and body would be ready for a meditation session, and you would be more receptive towards the process.
However, there are also certain times during the day that are more favorable for meditation. Let’s explore some of them:
1. Morning Meditation
It is generally agreed that the best time to meditate is in the morning, first thing when you wake up. The early hours will ensure a quiet meditation, and your mind will be more alert so you will be less likely to relax too much and doze off during your meditation session.
In addition, the way you start your morning usually sets the tone for the entire day. So if you start your morning with a meditation session, then for the rest of your day you are likely to be more mindful, aware, productive and happy.
The best time to meditate, in that case, is early in the morning, before breakfast.
If you want to start your day off right, you can try a gratitude meditation, which would turn your attention to things that you are thankful for in life – thus setting the right mood for the day.
Another type of meditation you could try in the morning in order to be more mindful is an awareness meditation. By practicing these in the morning, you will quickly find that you have become more aware and focused, and your days have become happier.
2. End of Day Meditation
This is another great time for a meditation session. This is particularly useful for people who have to multitask and for people who are busy even when they get home from work.
Once you get home from work and you have a little time to yourself, it is a good idea to dedicate 20-30 minutes to a quick meditation. After a long and busy day, a meditation can help you release all of the negative emotions that you have felt and all the negativity that you might have acquired throughout the day.
It can also help you “free” your brain up and get it ready for the next activity that you are planning to do – whether it is socializing, pursuing a hobby or spending time with your loved ones. In this case, it is advised to meditate before dinner to prepare your brain, body and mind for the new activity.
3. Before Bed Meditation
Another effective meditation technique is meditating right before bed. After your day is over, and you are relaxing in your bed and getting ready to sleep, it is a good idea to spend 15-20 minutes meditating.
While there has not been an official “consensus” about the best time to meditate, a lot of people find it easier to unwind before bed, when all of their responsibilities for the day have already been handled and taken care of.
This time for meditating works best for people who are able to stay alert and energized at night. If you have practiced meditating when you were tired before, you probably know that it is very easy to accidentally fall asleep while you are in that state of complete relaxation.
If you find yourself feeling tired and sleepy when it comes to bedtime, it’s best to reserve your “meditating time” for earlier hours and try practicing morning or afternoon meditation. However, if you are able to stay awake and alert and meditate before bed, you will find that there are many benefits in support of that decision.
For example, meditating before bed can really help you improve your sleep quality and get ready for a night of restful sleep. If you struggle with insomnia, or find it hard to fall asleep at night, meditation can be very helpful in relaxing you and preparing you for sleep.
4. Stress/Anxiety Meditation
Generally speaking, whenever you feel the urge to meditate is a good time to do so. Meditation is a powerful tool when it comes to dealing with stress and anxiety, so don’t be hesitant to use it whenever you feel the urge to do so.
In a lot of cases, when people feel overwhelmed they tend to escape those feelings, rather than confronting and working through them. A mindfulness meditation can help you not only feel more calm and at peace, but also helps you process your thoughts and emotions in a healthy way.
If you are feeling stressed, overwhelmed or anxious, and you feel like a quick meditation session would help you better deal with these emotions – take a quick break to meditate. Find a quiet place where you can be alone with your thoughts, set a 15-20 minute timer for your meditation session and start meditating.
As you can see, there is no right or wrong approach when it comes to the best time to meditate. Whenever you are feeling more comfortable and most receptive to meditation, it should be the perfect time for you to practice. Your mind and body will give you various “hints” and on some level, you will just realize what works for you and what doesn’t. So be sure to be listening to what your mind and body are trying to tell you, and feel free to meditate whenever you feel the urge to. There is no “best time to meditate”, there is only the time that works best for you.
