The Best Time Of Day To Meditate

There are many thoughts on the best time of day to meditate, but the general consensus is that it depends on the individual. Some people prefer to meditate in the morning, as it sets a calm and productive tone for the day. Others may opt for lunchtime meditation to take a break from work and recharge for the afternoon. Those who struggle with sleep may find that evening meditation helps them unwind and prepare for a good night's rest. Ultimately, the best time to meditate is whenever you can fit it into your schedule and make it a consistent practice.

Morning meditation sets a calm tone for the day

Meditation is a practice that can help you relax and cope better with stress, and it can be beneficial at any time of day. However, morning meditation has its own unique advantages and can be a powerful way to set a positive and peaceful tone for your entire day.

Fewer Distractions

Meditation first thing in the morning can be an excellent opportunity to set the tone for the day. During these early hours, you're less likely to be pulled away by work, family, or other commitments, giving you the space to focus fully on your practice.

A Calm Start to the Day

Mornings tend to set the tone for the rest of the day. A calm and centred start may lead to a more productive and enjoyable day, while a rushed and chaotic morning might leave you feeling off-balance. Morning meditation can have both immediate soothing effects and long-term benefits to daily life, like cultivating inner peace and promoting clarity.

Improved Focus

By taking time for morning meditation, you're training your mind to concentrate and stay present. This means you might find it easier to focus on your work or studies later in the day.

Stress Relief

Meditating in the morning can help manage life's stresses. When you're not worrying about what needs to be done or what happened yesterday, you can approach the day from a calmer perspective.

Enhanced Self-Awareness

Regular morning meditation can give you the opportunity to check in with yourself, understand your feelings, and recognize what you need. This can help you make better choices for yourself throughout the day.

Improved Health

Research has shown that meditation can have physical health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure, improving sleep, and boosting the immune system.

A Daily Habit

Making your meditation practice part of your daily routine is key to forming a habit and getting it to stick. One of the best ways to ensure consistency is to always aim to meditate at the same time and in the same place, minimizing distractions.

A Motivating Start

Morning meditation can be a motivating and productive way to start the day. By meditating first thing, you're putting yourself on track to have a successful day, giving yourself the best opportunity to be fully aware, awake, calm, and confident.

So, if you want to set a calm tone for your day and enjoy the benefits of enhanced focus, reduced stress, and improved health, consider making morning meditation a part of your daily routine.

Lunchtime meditation provides a break from work

Lunchtime meditation provides a much-needed break from work. It can be a great way to take a break from the hustle and bustle of work and recharge for the afternoon ahead. Whether you've just finished a gruelling meeting or are preparing to meet a client, meditating during the middle of the day can be an effective de-stressor. It also helps loosen your "computer desk" muscles.

A growing number of workplaces have dedicated yoga or meditation rooms. Many employers have noticed that giving their personnel the space and opportunity to unplug boosts employee well-being, creativity, and productivity. The lunch break can be a good time to follow guided meditations such as 2.5, 5 or 10-minute meditations, as they make it easy to slip into the practice within a given period of time.

If you're at work, this may mean stepping away from your desk or cubicle to find a nearby conference room or empty office. If you're working from home, try sitting on your porch or in the backyard. Even a couple of minutes here or there during the workday can be beneficial.

Meditation during your lunch break can also help you manage your time better. It can be a great way to set an intention for the rest of the day and help you feel more focused and productive.

While mornings are often considered the best time to meditate, as it is when the mind is quiet and fresh, the afternoon can be hectic and stressful. It can be challenging to find time to meditate after work, with various commitments and responsibilities vying for your attention. Therefore, lunchtime meditation can be a great way to ensure you get your daily dose of mindfulness.

Meditate when stressed to observe feelings without reacting

Meditate Anytime, but Especially When Stressed

Meditation can be beneficial at any time of day, but many people find that meditating in the morning is ideal for setting a calm and productive tone for the day. That said, the best time to meditate is whenever you can prioritise it. If you typically take a walk after lunch or have a break in the afternoon, these can be great times to fit in a session.

Meditation is a great way to help you tune in and observe your feelings without reacting. When you're feeling overwhelmed, instead of turning to social media, TV, or other distractions, try tuning inwards with a meditation session. Mindfulness teaches us that we can observe what's going on in our minds and bodies without having to react. With time, our practice becomes second nature, and we learn to recognise when we need to just stop, observe, and take a mindful moment. This pause can help us cope with stressful situations in a more productive and beneficial way.

Other Benefits of Meditation

Meditation has been shown to have a wide range of health benefits, including improved concentration, reduced stress levels, and enhanced quality of sleep. It can also help to rewire your brain, enhancing positive traits such as decision-making and compassion, while diminishing negative ones like fear and anxiety. By adding meditation to your routine, you're ultimately removing some of the stress and chaos from your life.

Evening meditation can help you unwind

Morning meditation is often considered the best time to meditate as it sets a calm and productive tone for the day. However, the best time to meditate depends on your lifestyle and what you want to gain from the practice.

Evening meditation can be beneficial for unwinding and preparing for a good night's sleep, especially if you have trouble sleeping or find yourself ruminating on the day's events. It can be a great way to transition from a busy day to a relaxed state, helping you leave work stress behind and be more present for your loved ones.

Meditation helps to enhance your mood, promote healthy sleep patterns, and improve overall well-being. It is a practice that can help you relax and better cope with stress. It can be done at any time of the day, and even a quick five-minute meditation can provide benefits.

If you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed, take a few minutes to step away and practice some mindfulness. You can also try meditating during your lunch break to take a break from work and recharge for the afternoon.

The key to making meditation a habit is to find a time that works for you and your schedule and to be consistent.

Meditate after exercise to move deeper into the practice

While there is no wrong time to meditate, meditating after a workout can help you wind down and prepare for the rest of your day. It can also be a great way to improve your recovery. Here are some tips for meditating after exercise to move deeper into your practice:

Reduce stress and cortisol levels

Even though exercise is good for your body, it puts your system under a lot of stress. While this is generally what we want – for our bodies to adapt and get stronger – too much stress can lead to increased levels of the hormone cortisol, which can cause mental cloudiness, a compromised immune response, inflammation, and abdominal fat storage. Meditation has been shown to lower feelings of stress and control serum levels of cortisol. Therefore, meditating after a workout can help to reduce the stress on your body and improve your recovery.

Manage pain

Meditation can also help to reduce feelings of pain that your workout may have caused. A 2015 study published in The Journal of Neuroscience found that meditation reduced perceived pain, even when compared to an opioid blocker. So, if you're feeling sore after your workout, meditating can help you manage that pain.

Wind down and reset

Exercise itself is de-stressing, which can help set you up for success in a subsequent meditation session. Moving your body before meditating can also help you sit quietly and focus your mind. It can be easier to sit for an extended period after you've already been active, and you may feel more awake and less stiff or tense. Meditation after a workout can help you close out your exercise session, emotionally regulate, and mentally reset so that you're ready to carry on with the rest of your day.

Plan and prioritise

Making meditation part of your exercise routine is a great idea, but remember that meditating can be incredibly valuable for your day-to-day life, too. Planning is important for success, so try to set aside the time in advance and increase your exercise timeframe to ensure you don't feel rushed and can fully benefit from your meditation practice.

Frequently asked questions