When is the best time to meditate?

There are many opinions on the best time to meditate. It’s common to say that the best time is different for everyone, and while this is generally true, there are some guidelines to consider and certain situations to avoid.

Why meditation before bed isn’t ideal

When thinking about meditation timing, you can compare it to exercise, specifically, a walk, jog, or run. Most people tend to go for a run in the morning before work or around sunset after work. You wouldn’t typically go for a run after putting on your pajamas and getting ready for bed. Similarly, meditating right before sleep isn’t usually recommended. But why is this, especially when so many meditations are designed to help with sleep?

Most meditations for sleep are guided meditations, not silent or mindfulness-based practices. I’ll expand on the subject of sleep in another article.

Silent meditation is calming, but it actually energizes you. Your body enters a state called restorative rest, where your mind and body experience deep recovery, often deeper than sleep itself. This is great for recharging but not ideal if you’re trying to wind down for the night.

Meditation also increases dopamine and serotonin, which improve mood and motivation, making you feel more awake and alert. This is often called the meditation high. Right after meditating, especially when you’re new to the practice, this energized state can last for a few hours. With regular practice, meditation can rewire your brain for more sustained happiness, helping you maintain calmness and clarity as your natural state. With regular meditation, the body requires less sleep while maintaining clarity and well-being.

With that being said the right guided meditations are great for falling asleep.

The best times to meditate

After physical activity

A good rule of thumb is to meditate after some form of physical activity, like a walk or workout. In Vipassana meditation, walking meditation comes first, followed by sitting meditation. This sequence helps you transition into stillness by slowing down the mind. If you jump straight into sitting meditation, it can be difficult to quiet your thoughts. Walking meditation first allows you to settle, leading to a deeper sitting practice.

In yoga, meditation after practice is called dhyana—a state of effortless meditation. The physical intensity and breath awareness in yoga naturally prepare you for stillness, making meditation smoother and deeper.

If you don’t want to go through a full walking meditation or yoga session, you can meditate after a morning walk, cleaning your space, or even taking a shower. When the body has been active, transitioning into stillness feels more natural. You’re also less likely to feel fidgety, making it easier to enjoy sitting in stillness.

Morning meditation

Morning meditation is a great way to transition from the dream state to wakefulness. It helps center you in your waking body (as opposed to your sleeping body) and supports setting clear intentions for the day.

Evening meditation

Evening meditation is useful for clearing away the mental and emotional buildup from the day and re-centering yourself. However, evening meditations should be kept shorter. I don’t meditate more than 10 minutes to avoid overstimulating dopamine and serotonin. 10 to 15 minutes is just enough time to reset, but not enough to become too energized. Guided meditations are also great for clearing any empathic energies from the day.

Meditation as a reset

Another great time to meditate is when you feel frantic or stressed, or when you’ve been caught up in something and could use a break. Meditation is a phenomenal reset. It allows you to rest and recharge in a highly effective way while centering and balancing your spiritual, emotional, and physical bodies.

When you finish meditating, you’ll feel calm, grounded, more yourself and energized, a beautiful harmony.

Conclusion

Finding the right time to meditate is a personal preference and can make all the difference in helping keep up with your practice. Whether you meditate in the morning to set the tone for the day, after physical activity to transition into stillness, or in the evening for a gentle reset, consistency is key. Meditation isn’t just about relaxation; it enhances your energy levels and aligns you with your true essence. With mindfulness and patience, you’ll discover when meditation fits best into your personal daily rhythm.