Traditionally, shamathameditation (a breath-oriented meditation) has been and is practiced for ten to fifteen minutes by monks and nuns in Tibetan monasteries. However, there is nothing magical about these recommended numbers. Full attention has even been online yoga classes Australia shown to reduce the amygdala, reducing reactivity to stress and improving well-being. Another study shows that 10 minutes of daily meditation can improve anxiety. Therefore, meditation is worth exercising regularly to reduce the overall stress response.
You develop your “meditation muscles” by sitting and focusing. These new applications are trying to use that new power in their daily lives for an extra boost. Good meditation does not stop when the timer goes off. All too often, when a meditation session ends, it can only take a moment to get caught up in the tensions and routines of the day and many of the benefits of meditating are erased. Sometimes the biggest challenge when learning a new skill or practicing meditation is learning to fit your routine. Most of them all have those days when it’s an achievement to even take a shower, let alone make time to sit still and meditate.
It’s also a great way to promote self-care and find the parts of your body where you need to let go of stress. In addition to specific habits and times, the best time to meditate is when you notice emotions. If someone suddenly pisses you off or feels your frustration in your body increase, it’s probably a good time to meditate and step back. When we feel a wave of emotion, we often want to express it. Expressing negative emotions in the heat of the moment can lead to job losses, failed relationships or harming someone who cares. Perhaps the best time to meditate is the time you can stay the most and be held accountable.
Meditation is similar to exercise in this way. There is no optimal period for exercise and there are no perfect number of minutes for meditation. Whether it’s exercise or meditation, it’s important that the amount of time you do is enough to challenge you a bit, but not enough to leave you demoralized or exhausted. It often depends on your intention and your schedule.
If necessary, take a meditation break to restart if you feel stressed or have trouble solving problems. Find a quiet place, apologize in the bathroom if necessary and do a short 1-3 minute meditation. You return with a calmer perspective, able to navigate difficult situations. If this is the best time for you, stay responsible.