I once read a quote that said, “Meditate for an hour everyday. Unless you’re too busy. In that case, meditate for two.”
For many of us, it’s not meditating that’s difficult. It’s finding the time to do it. While taking a long period of time to meditate can seem virtuous, it’s not always practical to keep up. Try out the following ways of managing your time to include meditation in your every day.
1 – Start early. Meditation is something that can easily get pushed further and further down on your day’s to-do list. Plan for your meditation time like planning for your morning shower or your commute to work. If you do it early, your mind will be calmer for more of your day. A good suggestion is the time just after you’ve gotten ready and just before you leave your home; let yourself wake up, meditate, and then see what the day will bring.
2 – Pick a length of time that’s right for you. Meditation doesn’t always have to be an hour long session. While a long meditation can be really nice and incredibly beneficial, you can still get so much out of just 5 or 10 minutes.
3 – Include it in your exercise routine. Many people will find their meditation in a yoga class. You can also try getting to your class early or staying a bit late and taking 5-10 minutes to meditate then. Likewise, if you are going to the gym, or going for a run, you can take 5-10 minutes before or after to meditate.
4 – Use your breath. Your breath is your own personal metronome. If you don’t have your favourite guided audio meditation, or a favourite song, you can use your breath to help you focus. Deepen your inhale and your exhale. Feel it in different parts of your body. Count the breaths to hone your focus. Count up to 5 on your inhale and to 5 on your exhale. If you’ve finished the breath before you’ve reached 5, it’s a good indication to slow the breath down.
Enjoy and let us know what other ways you find time in your day to meditate.
