Why Meditating in the Morning is Good for You
Meditation is a practice that offers numerous benefits, such as helping you build skills to manage stress, increasing self-awareness, and enhancing patience and tolerance. Although there is no wrong time to meditate, and you can still experience its benefits whatever time you choose, practicing meditation in the morning has its advantages that may interest you.
In this article, we will highlight the benefits of morning meditation, as well as provide tips for starting your meditation practice.
Take advantage of the peace and quiet
Starting your day with meditation can be incredibly beneficial, and mornings provide the perfect opportunity for it. Mornings tend to be more peaceful and quiet, giving you a chance to cultivate a sense of calm before the busyness of the day takes over. Plus, your mind is naturally rested and relaxed after a good night's sleep.
Waking up early also gives you the rare chance to spend some time alone, free from the distractions of technology and the demands of others. This alone time can be invaluable for your mental health and well-being.
It helps you manage stressful days
Morning meditation can be a valuable tool for managing worry and anxiety on stressful days. As a Zen proverb suggests, "If you don't have time to meditate for an hour every day, you should meditate for two hours." This quote reminds us that we can benefit the most from meditation when we have the least time for it. It allows us to prepare ourselves for the day ahead, helping us to stay calm and focused.
It allows you to start the day right
If you often wake up on the wrong side of the bed, meditating in the morning can help you set a better tone for the day. Taking advantage of the time to connect with yourself first thing in the morning promotes calmness and emotional balance while reducing stress.
Tips for starting a meditation practice
Incorporating meditation into your daily routine can be done gradually without feeling like a chore. You can start with just five minutes per day, which may not seem like a lot, but it can offer real benefits such as reduced anxiety, better sleep, increased clarity, self-compassion, more patience, and a greater ability to slow down and be present.
While research on the length of meditation needed to see benefits is limited and mixed, some experts suggest that repetition and consistency are more important than duration. A 2018 study found that most inexperienced meditators noticed positive changes after just 13 minutes of daily meditation for eight weeks.
It is important to try different types of meditation practices to find a suitable one for you. Some meditation formats you can try include mindfulness meditation, mantra meditation, loving-kindness meditation, visualization, walking meditation, and focused breathing, among others.
While it's good to set aside a specific time for meditating, it's equally essential to remain flexible. For example, if you plan to meditate first thing in the morning but can't due to household crises or kids, you can still get your meditation session in by meditating in the car on the way to work.
If you're new to meditation, it's beneficial to use aids like meditation apps or calming music to help ease you into the practice. Some apps you can check out include Calm, Headspace, 10% Happier, and The Mindfulness App.
Most importantly, be kind and patient with yourself as you learn. Meditation is intended to enhance well-being, and figuring things out as you go is okay.
