Benefits Of Doing Morning Meditation:
Are you looking for an amazing and refreshing way to start your day? Well, we just might have something exciting that will not just start you off on the right foot, but keep you up for the challenges of daily life. We are referencing the benefits of doing morning meditation routines.
Incorporating morning meditation in your daily routine can be a life-changing experience, in a very positive way. With morning meditation, you’ll likely need a little bit of patience and commitment, but the end results can be quite dramatic.
Why Mediation?
The practice of meditation in general, has been around for thousands of years. As such, it’s no coincidence that it’s stood the test of time. Gone are the days of just anecdotal evidence and hearsay about the practice. Today, more then ever, scientific research is putting this art form, on the map!
You see, meditation is a way of not just helping us focus and harness energy, but’s it’s about helping us to discover and cultivate our inner being, and strengths. It helps teach us to focus our minds in a way, you’ve likely never experience before. Furthermore, helps us in many ways, potentially, even reacting better to what may have been a stressful situation.
Is there really a best time to meditate?
Truly, this can be a very subjective response based on the individual practitioner. Some may meditate multiple times throughout there day. Subsequently, others may feel in the morning or before going to bed works best for there individual needs. Additionally, you may even break away and have a meditation session after a stressful situation. Forms of meditation, like walking meditation, works well in these moments.
Meditating in the morning, no doubt has it’s benefits. We’ll touch on a few of them today, in this post.
Many believe morning meditation is best, as we are “setting the tone” for our day. Setting the tone with positive vibes, affirmations, visualizations, and calming thoughts, set’s you up for success. Furthermore, it may even help you feel more confident and focused, “right off the bat”! Others meditate in the morning because of time constraints, once they finally get “into their day”, it becomes hard for them to break away.
Exploring Morning Meditation
Like mentioned prior, the thought process behind a good morning meditation session is that it puts people in a positive mood. Oftentimes, allowing them to navigate through their daily activities with less stress.
Anxiety, and symptoms of anxiety are better handled when one has full control over their thoughts, emotions, and can easily deal with issues, be it at work or at home with ease. Meditation practices like morning gratitude meditation, or using positive affirmation-type meditation, can be a great place to start.
If you’ve never indulged in the practice, it’s helpful to be apart of a guided meditation session from an instructor. The instructors will be more apt to talk you through the process. For example:
- what to expect,
- where your mind may take you, and lastly,
- how you can respond to a wondering mind.
Sometimes it’s these small nuances when we start our practice, that makes all the difference!
I. Bring On The Day!
Starting each day with positivity and a sense of calmness can be carried throughout your day. Thus, enabling you to deal with tough situations with positive thoughts. Oftentimes, allowing oneself to come down from a fight-or-flight response more effectively and efficiently.
A medically reviewed article on The Insider, discusses this very nuance of morning meditation, as being able to “include a mood boost, improved focus, and productivity”.
Meditation is not a one time fix. Contrarily, staying consistent with a morning meditation routine takes commitment and consistency. This is key if you wish to see changes come about from morning meditation sessions.
A specific poll about morning routines of 2,000 Americans found that 1/3 or 36% of them said that meditation was “essential to start there day off perfectly“. Another interesting number within the poll was that 77% of those polled, rated their mornings as “rushed”.
So what can be a takeaway from studies such as this. Firstly, give yourself time to experience meditating in a way that best suits you. There are many styles and individualities within the practice. We, ourselves, continue to learn about the practices, daily.
For instance, stumbling on a study on Brahma Kumaris Rajayoga Meditation (BKRM). While exploring, we found this study on BKRM being linked to “increasing self-satisfaction and happiness in life” by enhancing ones own positive thinking
II. Deal With Stress
Meditation is like a topical remedy for stress. It can have so many positive impacts on ones life. For example:
- enhanced happiness,
- the ability to be more creative,
- even sleeping better at night
If there was an ideal “natural” solution to relieving people from stress, daily meditation (in our eyes) is an irreplaceable tool.
Several studies have proposed that meditation has several health benefits, as well. It’s most notable effects can be seen in easing stress. Meditation is a unique way to make time out of your day, away from appointments, work deadlines, and other obligations.
One notable 2011 study, found a connection between MBSR or Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, and processing new information. MRI images actually showed changes in gray matter in parts of the brain responsible for emotional regulation.
An article published on One Medical, suggests that meditation creates an opportunity for individual’s to take, or create time for themselves. This is time away from work, business projects, or other daily obligations.
There have been numerous other studies comparing mindfulness practices vs. programs without mindfulness meditation, showing similar results both via brain scans and objective statements from participants.
III. Pain Relief?
Meditation in general is not a replacement for medical treatment. According to Healthline, many people turn to mindfulness meditation to help alleviate some of the symptoms of migraines. It has been proven to reduce pain that can be linked to headaches, which makes it a perfect match to more traditional tactics when it comes to health and wellness.
One systematic review of studies, which included 6404 participants, looked at mind-body therapies (i.e. mediation, hypnosis, relaxation guided imagery, etc.) to pain reduction and opioid intake. Results of the the studies reviewed, indicated that mind-body therapies were associated with improved pain, and reduction in opioid dosing.
IV. Clearer Vision!
Morning meditation in concept helps to give the mind “a break”. Thus, offering a chance to get away from one’s daily issues. Sometimes, as humans, we need some silence, stillness, peace and tranquility.
One of the main concepts of meditation, however, is the ability to focus the mind. Think of morning meditation as a morning stretch for your brain, shifting your focus from physical to mental, says Headspace.com.
Meditation in it of itself is about concentration, fixating on a point. For example, focusing on breath, mala beads, a mantra or other object, that can re-center your mind on the present moment. According to Columbia University Medical Center, meditating can “change the structure and function of the brain through relaxation”, and in turn help increase focus and concentration.
Being calm, creates a space for you to gain a larger picture or vision of your life and your daily obstacles. Truly, there is much clarity and wisdom that surrounds us, and within us. Sometimes just being able to take a break from your daily challenges, allows you to discover or see a clearer picture, becoming more direct, focused and clear with what your goals are.
Moreover, helping to release tension from the body and mind, (increasing energy). Consequently, helping to plan and sort your day more effectively and efficiently. An article on Psychology Today also discusses how meditation helps to improve mental focus.
V. Boost General Self-Esteem
Improved mindfulness may make you more emotionally balanced and boost an overall sense of wellness. Having a daily morning meditation session can make you more appreciative of the positive experiences of life. Furthermore, making you stronger facing new challenges, while creating more lasting positive thoughts and memories.
Related Article: Meditation Breeds Confidence: Meditation for Confidence, Self-Esteem, and Self Worth!
Some of the ways meditation encourages better self-esteem, is simply because it allows for moments of deep self-reflection, in a non-judgmental process.
Mindfulness meditation has even shown promise to help with symptoms of social anxiety. One study actually looked, again at brain behavior mechanisms post MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction). “Post-MBSR, showed increased activity of brain network related to attention regulation”, as well as things such as increased self-esteem, and increased positive self-endorsement.
VI. Gain & Maintain Energy
Meditation may also be linked to more focused energy. According to EOC Institute, many people find it surprising that meditation actually boost your energy level. Weird, right? This is a technique that most think of as calming and relaxing, not necessarily as a way to increase energy.
During meditation, you may discover that your energy level increases, and may even lead to a reduced intake of caffeine or other substances used for short bursts of energy.
VII. Eat Healthier
Numerous studies have shown when stressed or deprived of good sleep, we tend to have more cravings, especially for those unhealthy processed foods that contain lots of sugar and saturated fats. However, meditation may even be associated with healthier food craving or choices.
Mindfulness meditation, when added to standard behavioral weight loss programs in one study, contributed to a significant reduction in eating behaviors, dietary restraint, and overall weight loss.
VIII. Grow Social Bonds
Oftentimes, people who criticize or even judge others, are those who have low self-esteem, accompanied with negative emotions. Meditation gives people room for positive thoughts and emotions. For example:
- compassion
- enthusiasm
- humor
- excitement
Have you ever noticed how people with these character traits just seem to radiate. Furthermore, others tend to really enjoy their company. Try to get in a circle of friends that also enjoy to meditate – it really encourages a peaceful lifestyle.
On top of helping to create better relationships and social bonds, there is a study showing a significant correlation between mindfulness and marital satisfaction, including less arguments and spouses being open to new experiences.
Final Thoughts: Benefits Of Doing Morning Meditation:
There are many advantages and potential benefits to morning meditation (or meditation in general). However, it can be challenging to get started, for some. Like many things in life, it takes some intrinsic motivation, and discipline.
Some, simply are not morning people and that’s okay. Above all, try and find times that work best in your individual schedule.
There seems to be little doubt meditation can aide in mental health. Simultaneously, mediation is about embracing positivity, while discarding negative thoughts. This can be a truly refreshing life experience.
Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the benefits of morning meditation. Please feel free to share any experiences you’ve had with meditating in the morning, in the comments section below.
Resources:
- https://www.theladders.com/career-advice/this-is-how-most-americans-start-their-morning-according-to-a-survey
- https://www.insider.com/morning-meditation
- https://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/science-of-happiness/positive-thinking/key-studies-mindfulness-positive-thinking/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3843423/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S092549271000288X
- https://onemedical.com/blog/healthy-living/5-reasons-meditation
- https://www.cmu.edu/news/stories/archives/2016/february/meditation-changes-brain.html
- https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2753680
- https://www.headspace.com/meditation/morning-meditation
- https://sps.columbia.edu/news/how-meditation-can-help-you-focus
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4283801/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29211681/
