When to Meditate
When is the best time to meditate?
A daily meditation practice takes passion, determination, and planning. Holding consistent space in your schedule is key to sustaining your daily sit. Traditionally, the best times of day to meditate are at sunrise, sunset, or noon.
Determining what time of day best complements your schedule and practice is also important. What serves you best may take some time and effort to discover. From my experience, here’s what one may expect when meditating upon rising, at midday, in the afternoon, and in the evening.
Rising Meditation: Clarifying
Do you feel like you are always rushing? Do you wake up, and your mind starts running a million miles a minute? A rising meditation is likely the one for you.
Best For:
Setting the tone of your day
Bringing intention into your day
Bringing mindfulness into your day
Bring clarity and calmness into your day
Feeling accomplished at the beginning of your day
I love meditating right after I wake up. If you want to begin a morning meditation routine, I recommend getting to your mat as soon as possible after rising; otherwise, your daily duties may deter or distract you from your practice.
A rising meditation is ideal for anyone who wants to prioritize self-care and anchor mindfulness into their day. It makes transitioning into a busy day much smoother, calmer, and more joyful. It's like activating a shield of peace, and when you do, fewer things will "irk" you as your day continues.
Additionally, the morning is the quietest time of day with the least distractions. Yogis typically meditate at 4am — my suggestion is to sit anytime between 5am - 8am, before the day's activity sets in.
When I complete my meditation after waking, I feel super accomplished even though my day just started! I'll move more consciously, get less irritated by daily happenings, and generally feel happier and more energetic.
Pro Tip: Don’t check your phone until AFTER you meditate!
Midday Meditation: Refreshing
Is your day running away from you? Do you need a moment to reset and clear your mind? A midday meditation will help you take charge of your daily vibe.
Best For:
Grounding during a busy day
Connecting to a calmer frequency
Recharging your mood and energy
Taking a moment for self-care and nourishment
Being in command of your mind-thoughts and actions
Meditating at noon can be like the eye of the storm — a moment of peace and clarity during a whirlwind day. A confident meditation will support your energy and mood, bringing calmness, peace, and a clearer sense of being.
At this time of day, the body and mind usually run on autopilot — which may or may not be helpful. Generally, at this time, I find that the mind is ready to focus, so it's prepared to concentrate on your practice fully. However, the body may resist slowing down, and you might experience discomfort or the urge to be "doing" rather than sitting.
Just know that while sitting in meditation may feel like you're doing "nothing," you're taking charge of your mind, mood, and energy for a more positive and prosperous daily experience.
Instead of rushing through your day, let your mind and body have this rest, and know that you'll return to your day with a refreshed mood and heightened purpose.
Pro Tip: Be aware of time constraints; one should never feel rushed when meditating.
Try this 20-minute yoga nidra meditation for a midday refresh.
Afternoon Meditation: Revitalizing
Do you get caught up in your thoughts when it's time to unwind? Need some help releasing stress and tension from your day? An afternoon meditation with help you transition into a calmer evening.
Best For:
Getting a “second wind”
Releasing stress and tension
Redirecting the mind to a calmer state
Transitioning from busyness into relaxation
Meditating in the afternoon is a great way to check out from a busy day. When the mind has been running on turbo mode all day, breaking that momentum can be challenging. Sitting at this time can help you release the cares, concerns, stress, and tensions you picked up throughout your day. It can help you reclaim your evening, attention, and energy.
Take a few minutes to relax and breathe before you sit. If you dive right into your practice, your mind could take over, and you won't get as much out of your session. Rhythmic breathing, a technique of breathing in and out for the same count, is a great way to turn your attention inward and allow the mind and body to relax.
Pro Tip: Eat a tiny snack if hunger might creep up and distract you.
Ground yourself after a busy day with this 20-minute guided meditation.
Evening Meditation: Restorative
Do you feel overwhelmed at the end of the day? Is it hard for you to “turn off” your mind? Are you ready to sleep like a baby? An evening meditation will help you embrace a restful night.
Best For:
Embracing rest
Sleeping like a baby
Deeper relaxation of the mind and body
Releasing cares and concerns from the day
Disengaging sensory stimulation for deep rejuvenation
Meditating at nighttime is a great way to make the most of your night's rest. When we sleep, we often carry over stress and tension from our day, inhibiting our nighttime rejuvenation.
By the end of the day, we've received tons of sensory stimulation, and the tired mind can resist turning off to rest. Meditating before bed will direct your attention and energy inwards, helping you disengage from the day's stimuli. Then, your body and mind embrace deeper states of rest.
Just make sure you're not too sleepy before you start your session. While the goal is to help you sleep, you will want enough energy to focus during your session.
Pro Tip: It’s OK if you fall asleep; just set your alarm!