How Long Should You Meditate?

Getting into meditation can be challenging when you’re not entirely sure what you’re doing. There is a wealth of conflicting information out there that may end up confusing you more! Given the busy world we live; how do we find the time to meditate? And more importantly; how long should you meditate for?

How Long Should You Meditate? You should meditate for the amount of time that works for you; whether that be shorter or longer sessions. Some people recommend five minutes, whereas others find 15 minutes to be optimal. Successful meditation is dependent on a variety of factors and there is not a one size fits all solution.

Meditation has the power to help with many aspects of your life; from mental health to reaching enlightenment. Committing to meditating for a certain period of time each day can yield many beneficial results and give you a new perspective on life. Taking time away from your phone and meditating will change your life!

How Long Should You Meditate

Unfortunately, there isn’t a definitive length of time that you should meditate for. Meditation is a personal thing, and as such, different people will find different time periods effective.

It is highly recommended that when you are embarking on this new routine that you start small; taking on too much, too soon could cause you to give up if you don’t feel the immediate results. Start by meditating for a couple of minutes; and, as you find yourself able to focus for the entire time, increase your meditation minutes.

On average, most people tend to find 15 minutes of meditation a day optimal. 15 minutes is a good goal to aim for; but not where you should necessarily begin.

When embarking on your meditation journey, start with smaller lengths of time and work your way up. For example, start with just one minute and then, once you are completely able to relax and utilise the whole of the minute, try for two minutes. This will build up your tolerance and allow you to have more effective meditation sessions. Therefore, if starting with 15 minutes is too daunting, or you try and find you can’t relax for that long; just start smaller!

Trying to meditate for too long, too early in your meditation journey could cause you to overwhelm yourself. It is important to remember that longer sessions do not equate to more effective sessions.If you are struggling to focus for long periods of time, don’t worry and simply decrease the amount of time you’re meditating for. Doing ten minutes of meditation a day is better than doing one hour, once a week. Shorter time periods are likely to be more effective for beginners and you can advance once you feel ready.

Like many things, meditating is a skill and a habit. Once you are in the habit of consistently meditating, even for just one minute a day, you will find it easier to increase your time. Meditating is a way to reduce your overall stress levels and, as such, you shouldn’t be stressing about reaching some arbitrary number of minutes that you read online. You should be focusing on yourself and what is an effective length of time for you.

Meditation is not a race; it is a journey that is meant to relax and calm you. But most importantly, meditation is all about you. Because, when it comes down to it; you need to do what works for you.

How Long to Meditate for Real Benefits and Results

In order to yield successful results and truly reap the benefits of meditation; it is important to work for quality, rather than quantity.

Short periods (such as five minutes a day) will help, but it’s the longevity of the meditation that matters more. Meditating consistently is way more important than meditating for a longer time period. Remember: doing just five minutes a day, every single day, is better than doing an hour every-so-often.

Unfortunately, there is no short answer as to how long meditation takes to “work” and it may be frustrating if you don’t feel immediate results. Some people say they feel immediately better, but others have found that it was the long-term investment into meditation that most benefited them. But investing the time will yield long term results

For beginners, it is often recommended that they start with a monthly meditation program that they commit to in advance. Commit to meditating for a few minutes everyday to ease yourself into the process. Perhaps start in weekly increments, where the first week you meditate for one minute, the next two minutes and work your way upwards. Starting with a long period of time could leave you frustrated if you cannot remain relaxed for the full duration of the timer.

You should increase the time you spend meditating when you feel comfortable; meditating isn’t a race and what works for one person may not work for you. Meditating is a way to reduce stress and should not be a cause of it.

Effective meditation can, in the long run, lead to reduced stress levels, reduce the effects of mental illness, help you sleep better and lower blood pressure.

Meditation is not a quick fix for your problems but rather a lifestyle change. Meditating is all about getting to know yourself and what works for you as a person. It is a journey and will help you effectively reach a healthier mindset.

How Long to Meditate for Specific Conditions

How Long to Meditate for Anxiety

Meditation is often suggested as a way to limit the effects of anxiety. Doing ten minutes of meditation a day can help reduce your anxiety levels. It’s important to remember that those ten minutes don’t have to be consecutive! You could do a couple in the morning, a couple after a big meeting or on your lunch break and then a couple once you are home. Breaking up the minutes into more manageable pieces; especially around events that cause your anxiety levels to flare up teaches coping mechanisms and can reduce the severity (or longevity) of anxiety attacks.

How Long to Meditate in the Morning

Adding a couple of minutes of meditation into your morning routine is an effective way to prepare you for your day.You are more likely to have a set routine in the morning, by slotting in some time for meditation you are more likely to actually do it, and also more likely to stick with it. Doing just one minute after your shower, or before breakfast can help to clear your mind and give you a fresh perspective on the day ahead. Although, if you find yourself constantly running late; morning meditation sessions may not be the optimal time of day for you!

How Long Should You Meditate Before Bed

While you may think that meditating right before bed is the best time to do it; you could be wrong! Meditation, while a way to relax, is not a way to relax into sleep. Meditating directly before bed can cause the wrong kind of relaxation and condition your brain into associating meditating with sleep. As such, you should wait at least an hour after meditating to go to sleep. You should meditate for long enough for you to wind down, reflect on your day and slow down your racing mind—but not long enough that it sends you to sleep.

How Long To Wait To Meditate After Eating

It is very important that you wait to meditate after you eat. If you have a full stomach, all your energy will be diverted towards your digestive system, rather than towards the meditative process. However, you also don’t want to be so hungry that you can’t relax or focus! As long as your stomach isn’t grumbling you should be safe! Meditating between meals, or before eating is likely to be more effective than meditating afterwards. We all know how satisfying it is to eat such a good meal that it sends you to sleep; unfortunately, this is an ineffective meditative technique.

How Long to Meditate for Depression

As with other reasons to meditate, when meditating for depression, consistency is more important than the length of time. Meditation can be used as a coping mechanism to re-centre yourself and alleviate some of the negative effects of depression. Maintaining a consistent level of meditation every day is pivotal when meditating for depression—even if it’s only a few minutes each day. If you find yourself in the depths of a depressive episode, meditating for longer may be more effective than on a regular day. It is all about listening to your body and determining what works best for you.

How Long to Meditate For Enlightenment

Hopefully, you weren’t expecting a short answer when considering meditating to reach enlightenment. Basically, it can take years! Every person is different and as such, it takes different lengths of time. It can take anywhere from 7 years, to 30 years. Meditating more effectively could cause you to become enlightened earlier on. The consistency with which you practice could also affect this. Practicing meditation more frequently and effectively could help you to reach enlightenment earlier than someone who doesn’t fully commit to the process. Nevertheless, the sooner you start; the sooner you will get there!

How do you meditate for the first time

When meditating for the first time, it is important to not bite off more than you can chew. Start with a small period of time; only a couple of minutes. Find a quiet place and make sure you are sitting comfortably. If you are unsure, consider downloading a meditation app to guide you through the experience and remember to focus on your breathing.

Is it better to meditate in the morning or at night

It is better to meditate whenever is more convenient for you. It is easier to add meditation into your morning routine, but it could be ineffective if you are too stressed about leaving for work and not dedicating yourself to it properly. However, do not meditate yourself to sleep either! Find a time that works for you; that is the best time to meditate.

Can meditation change your life

Meditation can change your life; it gives you a new perspective on your wellbeing. Reduce stress, anxiety and help you to become more connected with who you are and the world around you. Meditating is one of the easiest ways to overhaul your life, without even leaving the house!