You may be curious about when is the best time to meditate. Or, if you’re already pressed for time and have too many commitments, how can you possibly make room in your schedule for meditation? Meditation remains one of the greatest methods to help you achieve a sense of calm and clarity, particularly when you’re feeling hectic and out of control.
It’s less important at what specific hour of the day you meditate. The most important thing is that you practice meditation at all! The optimum time to meditate is whenever you find space in your schedule.
That being said, choosing a time that works for you can make your meditation practice more efficient and consistent. Decide on a convenient time, and make it a habit to meditate daily.
Four Best Times to Meditate
So, when is the best time to meditate? Although it is crucial to choose a time that fits well for your schedule, there may be particular times in a day that might help you get the most out of your meditation practice and benefit you the most. The time you choose will depend on your lifestyle, goals, and preferences.
In the Morning: Early morning is one of the best times for meditation. Work, family, and other responsibilities haven’t yet begun in the early morning. You may concentrate totally on meditation without other people distracting you. Carving out morning time can add to some serious practice time! Suppose we wake up 1-2 hours earlier in the morning over our lifespan. In that case, that can add up to thousands of extra hours of meditation practice. In addition, morning meditation can set the tone for the day. Meditation can start your day with a positive and calm attitude to help you manage stress and deal with challenges better.
After Work: When many individuals go home from work, they experience the highest stress levels. This might make it tricky to relax, leading to harmful coping techniques like overeating or consuming alcohol to deal with the stress. Decompressing via meditation is one of the healthiest ways to shift from “work mode” to “home mode” after a long day.
Before Bedtime: When is the best time to meditate? Meditation at night can help you relax and sleep well. If you have difficulties sleeping or lie awake at night thinking about the day’s events, this may help. Try meditating before bedtime if you often have difficulty sleeping, or listen to sleep meditation music to lull you into the land of sweet dreams.
With a Community: Community keeps us accountable. One of the best times to meditate is whenever you can find someone else to join you! A great idea is to join a meditation group, class, or community to practice meditation simultaneously, every day, in the same place with familiar faces.
How to Figure out When is the Best Time to Meditate?
Here are some effective tips for determining when is the best time to meditate:
1. Same Time, Same Place
The most practical way to create a lasting habit is to include it in your daily activities. Suppose you want to make sure you can fit meditation into your schedule no matter what comes up. In that case, it’s ideal to try to practice it simultaneously and in the same place every day when there are few interruptions.
2. Relating to Another Activity
Another method is to link the new habit to an activity, also known as an anchor habit, that you currently engage in as part of your typical day-to-day activities. You may, for instance, start your daily meditation practice after brushing your teeth if that works better for you. The use of anchor habits may be quite effective. If something is ingrained in a person’s daily routine, it is much easier to engage in that practice.
3. Being Flexible
When attempting to find out when is the best time to meditate, it’s also crucial to be flexible with your schedule. Because no two days will be the same, you should be prepared for the possibility that you may need to relocate your meditation to a new location or do it at a different hour. If you usually practice meditation in the morning but have to deal with an emergency, see if you can practice in the afternoon or evening instead that day. Remember to prioritize your practice, as it’s important for your physical and mental health!
If you are feeling the urge to skip your meditation, remind yourself of its benefits and why you started practicing meditation in the first place. Suppose you do happen to miss a session, though. In that case, you shouldn’t worry about it or be too hard on yourself, but you should plan to make up for your missed session within the week. Directing your attention to getting back on track with a positive, grateful, determined mindset is best.
4. Not Rushing Things
Meditation is a technique that may be improved with practice over time. You may feel anxious as well as restless when you are starting meditation. You learn to let go of these sensations as time goes on, which will prevent your mind from being preoccupied with them. Be patient, take things slowly at first, and gradually extend the duration of the practice as you begin to feel more at ease with it. But remember, you cannot become a meditation master in a single day. The most important factor in improving your meditation is consistent daily practice.
When to Avoid Meditating
While there isn’t a single best time to meditate, there are some times you should avoid meditating:
Right Before or After Mealtimes: Avoid meditating when you’re too hungry or too full. Meditating when you’re extremely hungry can be dangerous. For example, if your blood sugar drops while you are practicing standing meditation with your eyes closed. Besides, it will be hard to think about anything besides food! Instead, if it’s not quite time for a meal yet, eat a light snack to tide you over and curb your hunger.
Also, avoid meditating if you’ve just had a big meal – you will be too sleepy for meditation. Wait at least 20 minutes before you feel the fullness has subsided before you start your meditation.
During Strong Storms: Meditation is a quiet practice. When we are in a deep state of focus and relaxation, sudden sounds and noises can disrupt our practice and health. If a storm rages outside, you can consider rescheduling your practice for a quieter time.
When Overly Emotional: If you are experiencing strong, uncontrollable emotions, it is best to process your emotions and let yourself calm down before you start meditating. Emotional upheavals are part of life, but meditation should be approached with a calm heart and focused mind.
How to Find Time to Meditate with Bodhi Meditation?
Did you figure out when is the best time to meditate? Suppose you are interested in learning meditation or finding a community to practice meditation with. In that case, Bodhi Meditation provides meditation courses that cover a wide range of topics, from stress relief and common health problems to wisdom and compassion. Let us assist you in finding the motivation to make time for meditation each day and gaining ground in your practice. Get in touch with us as soon as possible to get started on a better and more fulfilling life via meditation.
