Meditation is a convenient practice that anyone can do to alleviate anxiety, improve clarity and coherence, and focus on promoting fulfillment. It is all about improving understanding and gaining a better and healthier perspective on life. Meditation improves concentration, reduces stress, and improves sleep quality, to name a few benefits.
The practice of meditation is not bound to a specific time or place, but it has better effects and results at some particular time of the day. That does not mean that you have been doing anything wrong; rather, it depends on your daily schedule and lifestyle and how and when you practice meditation.
Most common – Before Sunrise
This timing is so popular among yogis and even beginners because when meditation becomes our first task of the day, it makes us stay calm and relaxed throughout the whole time, no matter what gets thrown our way. Morning meditation is also the preferable one because the occurrence of distractions at that time is minimal to none.
It is also a fact that many people are not comfortable doing meditation the first thing in the morning. The reason for this might be anything from a busy schedule or just plainly the matter of comfort. Meditation assists us in discovering and developing our inner confidence, adaptability, and focus. Even if we understand the importance of meditation, making time for it is not often simple. Even if we are determined to make time, we may be wondering what time of day is best for practicing. Here are some facts about different timings of meditation that may help you find a suitable time for meditation for yourself.
Keep your time a constant
Sticking to a particular time every day for meditation helps in remaining regular and consistent with the practice. Even though it might be difficult at first, but once you get used to the practice, you’ll start making shifts in your schedule to make it possible to meditate at the same time every day.
Popular timings for meditation
Everyone’s day-to-day schedule is different. It is not possible for all of us to follow a similar timing. There are different advantages to practicing meditation at different timings. Here are a list of timings you might want to follow:
1) Early morning meditation
As the first activity of the day sets our mood for the whole day, this timing would be perfect for anyone who wants to have a cheerful attitude throughout the day. When we wake up, we feel refreshed and start stressing about the day’s tasks. Doing a brief meditation practice right after waking up prepares us for the whole day, and we are less likely to feel lethargic or anxious.
By practicing meditation first thing in the morning, you set yourself up for a successful day, granting yourself the best chance to be completely aware, wide conscious, fully relaxed, and self-assured that you can handle whatever life has to offer to you.
2) Before/After a workout
Combining meditation with exercise will help improve mental and physical health. Meditating before any low-impact workout is suitable; however, if you exercise heavily, a post-workout meditation practice would be the most suitable for you.
3) After work
Doing a meditation practice after work is a great way of relieving stress and fatigue. It also helps us in rejuvenating and feeling relaxed. After a day at work, do some simple breathing practice or relaxing yoga poses, and you’ll feel your mood changing in an instant.
4) When you feel stressed
Whenever you feel exhausted or just burned out, meditate for a short time, and your energy will be back. You can do this at any time of the day. Meditation is one of the best ways to relieve stress, and doing a short practice at stressful times will make you calm and composed. Deep breathing always works best for such situations as it does not require any significant space. You need to sit in a comfortable position, breathe deeply and focus on your breath. By doing this, you will notice that you have become more present in the current moment and will feel relieved.
5) Before you sleep
Yes, bedtime meditation is a thing! Doing meditation before bed is a great way to unwind and let loose. It promotes sound and peaceful sleep. Meditation in the evening also helps relax the body and mind from all the work you have put in throughout the day.
Conclusion
Taking out some time from your day to keep your mind and body healthy and happy is the best thing you can do for yourself. In today’s hectic and fast-paced lifestyles, it is very important to sit and be present in the current moment for some time, rather than stressing about the past and future every day. Meditation is said to be the best way of getting our mind and body in sync, clearing our perspective, giving us an optimistic view towards life, and improving our overall health. The best time to meditate is determined by your style of living and the benefits you seek to achieve from your practice. Regular meditation practice has been shown to have a variety of health benefits.
The timing we choose for our meditation practice is not something to stress over. Meditation is the foundation of our being and does not have to be stressful at any point in time. You don’t need to be constantly worrying about schedules or timings to meditate. All you need to do is take any time from your schedule everyday practice to sit and practice meditation. You can choose any time to practice meditation every day and stick to it. Remember, the most important thing to remember is that you are comfortable during the practice, no matter when you do it.
