How Long And When Should I Meditate?

Those new to meditation may believe they need to go “all-in” straight away. This can put someone off meditation and give them the false impression that meditation is difficult or causes more stress than it relieves. At Technalink, our approach to meditation is to start off small, build yourself up, and learn as you go. This could mean a single five-minute meditation session a day, working your way up to a couple of sessions, and making each longer by a minute as you grow more comfortable. If you find yourself mastering meditation more quickly, you may progress your time more quickly as well.

For those who do have some meditation practice, your sessions may vary and you may have found a set time that works for you. According to a 2018 study by Behavioural Brain Research, meditating for 13 minutes per day for a period of 8 weeks lead to a noticeable decrease in stress, anxiety, and negative mood, with an increase in recognition memory, attention, and working memory.

Once you have your perfect session length worked out, now it’s time to think about how many sessions you may want to incorporate into your day and when you want those sessions to be. Morning meditation is a favorite for many, as it helps to set the day off on the right foot. It gives you a clear mind and a way to bring spirituality into your established morning routine.

Morning meditation isn’t your only option for improving your well being with meditation. You might want to bring your meditation into your life during the most stressful parts of your day. Meditation can have an immediate effect on stress and anxiety, so it can be of benefit to schedule your meditation minutes for a lunch break period, during your commute, or another time when your stress seems to be the highest. Spending a few moments in meditation and listening to The OM Factor on audiobook can be a beneficial way to bring yourself back to a calm center.

There are many “right” times to meditate, and really only one potentially wrong one. Meditation before bedtime can confuse your body and mind, tricking it into thinking that meditation is a practice for sleepiness instead of mindfulness. While some may be able to meditate before bedtime without worry of becoming drowsy, it’s the one time that should be avoided for many.