Is 10, 15, or 20 minutes of Meditation Better Than Nothing?
By Calmind Mar 24, 2021, 07:39 PM
When it comes to meditation, consistency is essential, but duration is a matter of personal choice.
When you begin to meditate and start to establish a routine of sitting every day, choose an amount of time that feels achievable and realistic for you.
Meditation works on you over time. It’s a lifelong practice, not an instant practice.
The question “is it better to meditate for just 10 minutes a day?” is one which has been asked over and over again. Most people say yes, but there are some who say no. Some experts have even stated that it’s not necessary to meditate at all!
It seems like everyone has their own opinion on the matter. However, there is really no right answer. There are many factors involved in this decision:
How Much Time Do You Have To Meditate?
If you only have 10 minutes to meditate, then you should just do that. If you only have 1 hour a day, then you should meditate for at least that long. The most important thing is to meditate. If you want more, then you can always increase the time spent meditating each day.
The key is to find the amount of time that’s right for you. Whether you have 10 minutes or 1 hour, the meditation techniques should be the same.
Many people start out with a strict schedule and end up quitting early because they get bored or frustrated. So, don’t put too much pressure on yourself when you’re just getting started.
Know Your Reasons For Meditating
The next thing which should be considered is why you want to start meditating in the first place. Do you want to feel less stressed? Are you having trouble sleeping? Maybe you just want to feel more calm and at peace with the world.
Whatever your reasons may be, make sure that you’re staying focused on them. If you start feeling bored, then you may lose interest in the whole process.
It’s also important to keep in mind that meditation is a very personal experience and what works for one person might not work for another.
Make Sure You Have A Comfortable Place To Meditate
One of the most important factors in the success of your meditation is your physical surroundings. You should try to find a quiet place where you won’t be distracted. If that’s not possible, then make sure to create as quiet of an environment as you can.
You should also make sure you have a comfortable place to sit or lie down. If you’re sitting on a hardwood floor, then your bottom will begin to hurt after a short period of time. This will only distract you and take away from the benefits of meditation.
Make Sure You’re Not Distracted
As mentioned before, your physical surroundings are important. However, so are your mental surroundings. This means that you shouldn’t be doing other tasks at the same time.
For example, it would be very difficult to meditate while driving. You should either pull over to the side before you start, or wait until after you get to your destination.
You should also remove as many potential distractions from your immediate surrounding area. Turn off your cell phone and any other electronic devices. Don’t plan on doing anything major after you’re done meditating. In other words, don’t make plans for the next hour or so after you’re done!
Many people have to do things like cook, work or drive right after they finish. If this is you, then I would recommend setting aside at least 2 hours for meditation instead of just 1.
Choose An Appropriate Time
When you wake up in the morning is not a good time to meditate. Your brain hasn’t fully started functioning yet, so it won’t be able to concentrate well.
On the other hand, you don’t want to do it right before you go to bed either. You’ll probably end up struggling to fall asleep. If you have trouble falling asleep, then you can try meditation as a way to help induce sleep. But, if that’s the case, it’s best to do in the morning.
Some people find that the very best time to meditate is in the afternoon or early evening. It gives you a chance to relax after a busy morning, but still have plenty of time to get things done.
Here are some common times that people choose to meditate:
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Early Morning: Wake up an hour or two early just to meditate.
Late Morning: Try to find a quiet place in your house to meditate just before you leave for work or school.
Early Afternoon: You can take a break from your school or work to meditate for 10-20 minutes.
Evening: You have a few options here. You can do some light reading or other quiet activity right after work or school. You can also try to meditate right before you go to bed. Many people find that it helps them sleep much better.
