Meditation sounds easy until you actually sit down to do it. The brain suddenly remembers that you need to reply to three messages, buy vegetables and remember something embarrassing from decades ago. So when should you meditate? Morning or night?
The truth is, either can be the best meditation for mental health. The best time is whatever fits in your schedule and allows you to practise consistently. Choose a practical time and make meditation a habit rather than stressing about finding a perfect hour.
Morning Meditation: Clear Your Mind for the Day
Morning meditation is a nice way to start the day before notifications, meetings and household responsibilities take over.
Some people find it easier to sit in peace when the mind is relatively still upon awakening. You could do a short breathing or mindfulness session to help you focus your attention and enter into the day with greater awareness.
If you normally have a quiet morning, try 10 minutes before you pick up your phone. Yes. The phone can wait. It has survived eight hours without you.
Beginners taking an online meditation course can make meditation a daily habit more easily. The benefits of meditation are usually experienced over time, and consistency is key.
Evening Meditation: Hit the Mental Reset Button
The purpose of evening meditation is different. After a busy day, your mind might be racing with conversations, deadlines, worries and a pretty big list of things you forgot to do.
A calming meditation session can help you slow down and take your mind off the noise of the day. Research has also investigated the use of mindfulness meditation for sleep problems, and some research suggests that it might help to reduce insomnia, fatigue and depressive symptoms in some people.
If your evenings are your time to relax finally, there’s absolutely no need to force yourself into a 5 am meditation routine just because social media says successful people wake before sunrise.
What’s the Best Meditation for Mental Health?
There is no single practice that works for everyone. Useful depending on what you want from your practice are mindfulness meditation, breath awareness and concentration practices.
If your main concern is everyday stress and mental clutter, mindfulness or breath meditation can be a good place to start. Mindfulness meditation is also helpful for managing stress and improving mental and physical well-being.
So, Morning or Night?
If you want to begin your day quietly, choose the morning. Opt for the evening if you need help to wind down after a busy day. And if you have the time, try both. Even a few minutes can be valuable.
Want to bring meditation into your life on a regular basis? Become a member of Enlightened Circle and learn with an online guided meditation course that will help you build a regular practice, understand different techniques and find out what works for your mind and lifestyle. Give your mind a little bit of peace and more.
