There are many secrets of the universe yet to be uncovered, but the power of meditation isn’t one of them. Scientific studies have proven again and again that the act of meditation — indulging in a period of quiet, concentrated, uninterrupted focus and relaxation, as first introduced by the Hindu Vedas — can benefit you in nearly every area of your life; from physical health (it reduces blood pressure, pain, and inflammation), to mental health (it decreases anxiety, stress, and depression), to overall happiness (it increases feelings of positivity and compassion).
You can reap these rewards no matter how, where, or why you meditate. Some like to do it on their own in silence, others prefer a spoken guided meditation via an app like Headspace, or you might even gravitate to the energy of the group meditation class at your local yoga studio. As for when to carve out this time for self-care? A mindfulness break in the evening is said to relax the body and lead to more restful sleep; but personally, I think there’s a lot to be said for morning meditation — especially for busy women.
Ahead, three reasons to leave a little room for meditation in your morning routine.
1. It’s An Easy Transition From Sleep
Raise your hand if the alarm goes off and you linger in bed for five to 10 minutes more, resisting the start of the day or mindlessly scrolling through Instagram. (Guilty.) Now, imagine what your day would be like if you dedicated that extra lounge time to meditation instead. By rising with your alarm, queueing up a five-minute track of peaceful music, and sitting (or lying) quietly with your eyes closed, you can help your body transition from a state of rest to a state of awareness. The best part? After just a short period of meditation (you can even start with two-minute increments), you’ll feel renewed, energized, and ready to take on the day.
2. It Sets The Tone For Your Day
After a hectic day of work, errands, playdates, and after school activities, it can feel so good to unwind with a 20-minute meditation… but if you move your meditation practice to the morning, you may actually find that a full day of meetings and activities actually doesn’t feel as hectic as it used to. That’s because science shows that meditation helps you regulate your emotions — so when you start your day with a sense of calm and quiet, you’re less likely to feel overwhelmed by the little things, or fly off the handle when your schedule gets thrown off balance.
3. It Saves You Time In The Long Run
On that note, morning meditation gives you the opportunity embark on a new day with calm and clarity. The five frazzled minutes you usually throw away searching for your car keys before you leave for work? The moments spent trying to rack your brain for that thing you’re forgetting? The half an hour of distractedly scrolling through social media to clear your head? All freed up, since meditation improves your memory, ability to multitask, and attention span.
So, if you find yourself rushing through your morning routine and struggling to get out the door, here’s my advice: Take a deep breath, pause for a moment, and log into that meditation app you downloaded out of curiosity but haven’t used yet. A few minutes of mindful self-care might be just what you need to make it through the busy, beautiful day ahead.
Photo Credit: @lamise
