What is the best time to meditate- Morning, evening, or?

Meditation has so many benefits to offer you, be it reduced stress and anxiety, improved focus, increased creativity or better sleep. Even if you’re aware of this, it might be difficult for you to find time to meditate. And even if you plan on allocating time to meditate, you may be wondering what’s the best time of the day to meditate.

While meditating early in the morning may help you feel relaxed and set a tone for the day, that doesn’t mean meditating later in the day would give you lesser results. The benefits you attain out of meditation depends on how consistent you are.

Level Supermind offers a wide variety of guided meditations to help you cope with stress, regain focus, and improve your overall well-being. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, need to refocus, or want to ensure a good night's sleep, you can find a meditation tailored to your specific needs. With hundreds of guided meditations to choose from, you're sure to find the perfect one to help you relax and rejuvenate.

Why you should find time to meditate

In today’s fast paced world, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life and ignore self-care. But one of the best things about meditation is that it doesn't have to be a long, time-consuming practice. Even 10 minutes of meditation is enough to greatly impact how you feel.

Also read: Can meditation replace sleep?

Regular meditation will help you feel more focused and also reduce stress and improve quality of sleep.

You find it hard to meditate as you aren’t able to take time out of your busy schedules to sit down and practice meditation. Plus you may be confused about the ‘best time to meditate’. But no matter how busy your schedule is, you can always set aside a specific time each day for meditation, such as first thing in the morning or last thing at night. This can be a time that works well for you and your schedule.

Level Supermind has hundreds of guided meditations for meditating when you are stressed or overwhelmed, you need to regain your focus or for getting a good night’s sleep.

When you meditate, you learn to be more relaxed instead of getting caught up in the feelings of overwhelm. Yes, that’s the power of meditation!

Also read: How to meditate properly?

What’s the best time to do meditation?

One of the most common questions regarding meditation is regarding the best time to do it, especially if you’re a beginner.

Practicing meditation in the morning provides a sense of calm and focus and sets a tone for the rest of the day. According to a study from the University of Kentucky, morning meditation can help reduce stress and anxiety throughout the day.

Whereas meditation at night helps clear the mind of any lingering thoughts or worries from the day which improves sleep quality and promotes relaxation.

It's important to note that the best time to meditate is when it works for you and your schedule. You may find that lunchtime or mid-afternoon works better for you. It majorly depends on your lifestyle and what you’re seeking to improve or build through meditation practice. Ultimately, the benefits you get out of meditation depends on how consistent and committed you are with your practice, be it in morning or evening.

Also read: What to think during meditation?

Meditate in the morning

People who have a habit of practicing meditation generally do it first thing in the morning. You tend to feel more awake and fresh during that time and are less likely to doze off. Additionally, it sets a calm and productive tone before the day actually begins.

When you wake up, you feel fresh. When you set your intention for the day by doing meditation in the morning, you build a positive and relaxed attitude and are able to better manage stress that may arise during the day. Also, you'll be less likely to skip it or put it off until later in the day.

To start practicing meditation in the morning, set an alarm 10 minutes earlier than the usual time. Also, when you’re just getting started, you may be confused about what to focus on. That’s when guided meditations come to play. You can try guided meditations from the Level Supermind app to build a regular meditation practice.

Meditate during lunch break

Meditation is a powerful tool that can help you relax and de-stress during your lunch break. It helps to make the most of your break and recharge you for the afternoon ahead, making you more productive and efficient when you return to work.

Work can be demanding and stressful and mindfulness meditations can be of a huge help here where you focus on being present and aware of your surroundings and your thoughts. You can also try gratitude meditation where you focus on things you are thankful for in your life and try to cultivate feelings of gratitude.

Building a regular meditation practice will help you de-stress on a regular basis, gain clarity of thoughts as well as boost your work performance.

Meditate at night before bed

One of the best ways to find time to meditate is to make it a regular part of your bedtime routine when the mind is calmer and less active than during the day.

You can start by setting aside 10 minutes before you go to bed to meditate. This helps you relax and wind down before you go to sleep and also helps you sleep better. It is especially useful when you have trouble sleeping or can’t stop thinking before bed.

You can choose a guided meditation or simply sit quietly and focus on your breath. It's important to make this a regular practice, so try to meditate at the same time each night.

Meditate after getting back from work

Meditating right after getting back from work can help you relax and de-stress after a long day at work. It can help you transition from a busy, stress-filled day to a more relaxed state of mind.

Tasks that still need to be done, problems that need to be solved, and deadlines that need to be met. This is what your mind tends to think about towards the day end. Meditation practice helps to bring your mind to the present moment.

Additionally, stress disrupts your sleep which causes fatigue and decreases productivity. Meditation after returning from work helps you sleep better and faster.

Just be patient and keep practicing to learn to meditate and enjoy all of its benefits.

Also read: How to increase productivity when all you want to do is procrastinate

Meditate post workout

You can meditate after workout to center your mind and get rid of post workout tension. One of the main reasons to meditate after a workout is that it helps you process the physical and emotional experience of doing a workout.

Another reason why you should build a regular meditation practice post workout is that it helps to improve your physical recovery. Also, meditation releases endorphins which reduce pain and improve feelings of overall well being. Additionally, it boosts sleep quality and muscle recovery.

To get the most out of your post-workout meditation, try doing it in the same place you did your workout. This will help link the feeling of relaxation during meditation with the space where you did your workout, making it easier to cool down and unwind after exercising.

Meditate when you need to relax

Apart from the above, it’s good to meditate when you need it the most. Stress can accumulate in the body over time and lead to tension, headaches, muscle pain, and fatigue. Meditation practice can help to release this tension and promote a feeling of relaxation.

When you feel stressed or anxious, it’s majorly because you’re dwelling on the past or future. Meditation can help you to let go of these thoughts and focus on the present moment, leading to a feeling of relaxation and peace.

How to make meditation practice your best time

If you're new to meditation, or just looking to improve your practice, here are some tips to help make your meditation more effective:

Dedicate a peaceful space: Designate a space that is quiet and peaceful to get started. Make sure to shut off any electronic device that sends notifications to ensure you won't be interrupted during your meditation session.

Be mindful of your posture: To practice meditation, you can sit on the edge of the bed, on a chair with your feet on the ground or even invest in a meditation cushion. Remember to sit up straight, so that energy can move easily up your spine.

Take it slow: Take small steps and don’t expect to reap all the benefits in the start itself. You might feel restless, anxious or even sleepy initially, but over time you will learn how to manage these feelings and keep your mind from getting caught up in them.

Meditate at the same time: Making meditation a habit is key to reaping its benefits. Carve out space in your schedule the same time each day and commit to following through.

Combine your walk with meditation: Consider combining a walk and meditation as you get better at your practice. Go for a 15-minute walk while paying attention to your breathing, the motion of your feet, and the sounds in the environment. Select one of those feelings to return to whenever your thoughts wander. You'll feel more in control as a result.

Try Level Supermind app: With hundreds of meditations to choose from, Level Supermind app will help you get introduced to meditation, develop a habit as well as take your practice to a deeper level.

Final thoughts

After reading this, you might have understood that the best time to meditate is the time that works for you and your schedule, just like finding the right type of meditation for yourself. Whether it's in the morning, afternoon, or evening, the key is to find a time when you can consistently practice and make it a regular habit. When you meditate regularly, you start noticing improvements in both your physical and mental well-being in no time. So, make it a priority to find time to meditate each day.