How meditation in the morning can kick-start your day

Meditation in the morning: start your day with silence

Everyone is busy. If you're not busy at work, then it’s probably busy in your mind. If you jump out of bed and start your day as soon as the alarm goes off, you’re basically diving into the rush of the day. Before you know it you’re checking your calendar and answering your app messages.

When you wake up in the morning, you still have a full day ahead of you. Since your system isn’t completely 'on' yet, it is the right time to determine how you want to feel the rest of the day.

Meditation in the morning can set the tone for your day, in a positive way. Take a moment of silence to feel how you really feel, to start the day with silence and to keep stress as far away as possible.

1. Meditation in the morning sets the tone for the rest of the day

How do you want to feel the rest of the day? Do you want to feel like you’re constantly rushing or just feel like you have everything under control? When you do a meditation in the morning, you can start your day calmly and carry that feeling with you throughout the day.

2. Experience less stress

As soon as the alarm goes off, many people are inclined to immediately pick up their cell phone and scroll through Instagram, WhatsApp or email. After a few minutes their internal system is completely 'on'. When you do a meditation in the morning it feels like pressing the pause button and quieting your mind, before all those thoughts are fighting for your attention.

3. Better able to cope with the day

Meditation in the morning allows you to cope much better with what the day will bring you. You'll be less annoyed if you're stuck in traffic again, forgot your lunch, or have to face an unexpected deadline. You’re enhancing your resilience.

4. Get more energy

After just 20 minutes of meditating, energy-boosting endorphins are released. These are real energy boosters that keep you awake and alert. So although you can experience deep relaxation with meditation in the morning, it also gives you a nice boost to start your day. You’ll find that once meditation in the morning has become a habit, you need less coffee to start your day.

5. Experience more focus and awareness

Our mind is never 'off' and tends to jump from one idea to another. Not surprising when we have 50,000 to 70,000 thoughts on average per day. Meditation in the morning will help you manage your thoughts. When you practice regularly, you will learn to focus your attention and not be distracted by a maze of thoughts.

6. Better able to see the bigger picture

Meditation gives you a break from the hustle and bustle of life. It’s like taking a step back to zoom out so you’re no longer influenced by all kinds of things, hence able to look at life from a broader perspective. You’re experiencing more clarity.

7. Feel more confident

Everyone deals with their inner critic. Our own thoughts telling us what we’re doing wrong, what we’re not able to do or what we shouldn't do. This is a form of self-protection; our inner critic tries to protect us from negative experiences. Meditation in the morning helps you silence your inner critic and find the strength and confidence within yourself.

8. Feel better and happier

Perhaps the most important benefit of meditation in the morning: it makes you happier! Meditation makes you happier. You’re able to deal better with stress, feel calmer, suffer less from unexpected circumstances and experience less energy. Who wouldn't want that?

How to meditate in the morning

If you've never meditated before, it can be pretty intimidating watching experienced practitioners meditate. Does it really involve getting up at 04:00 and meditating for 1.5 hours? Not at all! A couple of minutes is all you need to start off. You can also meditate for longer, but starting with 5 minutes every day is a good start.

1. Choose a relaxing meditation spot

If you’ve just woken up you can meditate in bed. However, there is a chance that you will fall back asleep. An option is to find another spot where you won’t be disturbed or distracted.

2. Sit or lie down comfortably

You can meditate lying down, sitting on a meditation cushion or sitting on a chair. As long as you’re comfortable. Also make sure you’re wearing loose-fitting clothes. You could keep your pajamas on or put on comfortable joggers. Tight clothing will only distract you while you meditate.

3. Set a timer

When you have all the time in the world it’s nice to meditate, but on weekdays it can be helpful to set a timer. So you don't have to worry about losing track of time or falling asleep. Try to set aside some time for your meditation and don’t rush it. When you’re doing meditation in the morning, set your alarm 15 minutes earlier.

4. First of all, focus on your breathing 

The best tool to lead you into your meditation is your breathing. Take a few deep and slow breaths, in through your nose and out through your mouth. This will calm you down and turn your focus inward.

5. Don't suppress your thoughts

Try to experience complete silence within yourself when you meditate. You can do so by focusing your attention on something else, like your breathing. Are your thoughts wandering off? Notice them, let them go, and bring your attention back to your breathing. The more often you do this, the better and easier it gets.