Morning Meditation: Types, Benefits, and Beyond

You might be interested in meditation but you don’t know how to start. You might have heard of it, but still, you don’t know what to expect. In this post, you will learn all about morning meditation, its different types and techniques, its benefits, and so much more.

What is Meditation?

Meditation is an ancient practice of clearing the mind and focused concentration. Breathing techniques are known to help achieve deep relaxation and heightened awareness. Its origins date back to the ancient Vedic times of India^[1]. In the modern age, millions of people worldwide start their day with morning meditation or take a few moments during the day to meditate.

Why Learn How To Meditate?

Meditating provides a myriad of benefits for both physical and psychological well-being. Regardless of whether you enjoy morning or night meditation, this ancient practice takes the quality of your life to the next level. Here are five reasons to meditate regularly:

• Understand your pain: meditation provides an opportunity for self-reflection and increases self-awareness. Processing your thoughts and feelings should give you a deeper understanding of your physical or emotional pain and sources of discomfort.
• Lower your stress: this ancient practice is a powerful tool for relieving stress. Evidence confirms^[2] that meditation can reduce physiological markers of stress. Morning meditation calms your mind, promotes relaxation, and can help you tackle stress and negative thoughts. Taking supplements that calm your nerves should also aid you in alleviating your anxiety.
• Connect better: meditation allows you to connect better to your inner self as it promotes balance between your physical and psychological well-being. Moreover, meditation fosters improved interpersonal relationships by enhancing your empathy and emotional intelligence.
• Improve focus: it sharpens your focus and concentration, strengthens your attention span, and promotes mental clarity. To be more precise, morning meditation could make you more productive and efficient in different aspects of life.
• Reduce brain chatter: it also teaches you to quiet down your internal noise and find inner peace. If you try meditation for sleep, for example, you’ll be able to cut the brain chatter and fall asleep quickly. Reduction of internal noise also improves your decision-making and problem-solving skills. It also allows your creativity to shine.

How to Meditate?

Meditation is easier than you think, but before we go through the steps, it’s important to answer a common question about this practice - ‘Can you meditate lying down?’ You can, but the mind tends to be more alert and attentive when you are seated and upright. Whether you choose morning meditation or another time of day, the following are tips to help you practice:

• Take a seat: choose a quiet and comfortable place and sit on a chair, cushion, or the floor, ensuring your position is comfortable and your back is straight. Even if we say yes to the question ‘Can you meditate lying down?’ your meditation will be more effective if you’re in a sitting position.
• Set a time limit: decide how long you want to do your morning or night meditation. It can be five, 10, 15, 20, 30 minutes or longer.
• Notice your body: bring your awareness to your body and feel the sensation of your body sitting on a cushion or the floor, letting go of any unnecessary tension.
• Feel your breath: focus on your breathing as you inhale and exhale. Focus on the rise and fall of your chest as you take deep breaths. Doing so helps you focus on the present moment especially if you’re doing meditation for sleep.
• Notice when your mind has wandered: it’s natural for your mind to wander during meditation. However, you should be able to regain your focus as soon as you realize that your thoughts are starting to wander.
• Be kind to your wandering mind: don’t feel guilty and don’t judge yourself when your mind starts wandering during morning meditation. Be patient and compassionate to yourself.
• Close with kindness: as your meditation session is coming to an end, take a moment to express kindness to yourself. Commit yourself to this practice. Slowly open your eyes and thank yourself. You will find that you’re able to resume your day and go about your daily activities with a sense of calmness and mindfulness.

Types of Meditation

For most people, spiritual meditation can be a simple practice that involves focusing on breathing for a certain length of time. There are, however, various approaches to meditation that will allow you to get the most from this practice and its benefits for physical and mental health.

Different types of meditation are described below:

1. Mindfulness meditation

Mindfulness meditation involves paying non-judgmental attention to the present moment. You observe thoughts, sensations, and emotions without attachment. It is one of the most frequently practiced types of meditation.

2. Mindfulness-based stress reduction

It is a subtype of mindfulness meditation that is learned over eight weeks. It involves taking group classes and doing daily mindfulness activities at home to alleviate stress.

3. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy

As a subtype of mindfulness meditation, it combines cognitive therapy and mindfulness practices. It’s one of the best types of meditation for people with mood disorders such as depression^[3].

4. Concentration meditation

Concentration meditation involves being present curiously and openly. Your mind should focus on a specific thought. The goal is to calm your mind and improve concentration and attention.

5. Mantra meditation

During mantra meditation, you repeat self-affirming words or phrases, i.e. “I am happy. I am healthy”. As you repeat your mantra, you focus more on the moment and less on distracting thoughts.

6. Transcendental meditation

It is a type of mantra meditation that involves repeating a personalized mantra which can come out as sounds. OM (AUM) is known as a powerful and sacred meditational sound and is a common mantra used in Transcendental Meditation. This type of meditation deepens concentration and calms your mind.

7. Guided meditation

This is a type of meditation that is guided by an instructor or an audio recording which provides a structured meditation experience. Guided meditation is often used as a meditation for sleep or relaxation.

8. Loving-kindness and compassion meditation

This type of spiritual meditation cultivates feelings of love, kindness, and compassion for oneself and others. It promotes empathy and emotional well-being.

9. Meditative movement

With this type, you will engage in meditative exercises such as Tai Chi or yoga. Meditative movement practitioners become aware of their bodily movements. It promotes muscle health and improves equilibrium in posture and body weight. To ask the question ‘Can you meditate lying down?’ with this type, the answer is no. You can’t perform meditative movements in a lying position.

What Exactly Does Meditation Do?

Meditation promotes mental and emotional well-being through stress reduction, enhancing mindfulness, fostering relaxation, and improving focus. It can promote sleep hypnosis and help you wake up well-rested. The practice works to increase mental clarity and ease the physical effects of stress such as rapid heart rate and shallow breathing.

How do I Start Daily Meditation?

Here are some tips to make spiritual meditation a daily habit:

• Start small e.g. 2 minutes a day and work your way up
• Find the right time, whether you want to practice morning or night meditation
• Choose a comfortable position
• Dedicate a specific space or corner to meditation
• Set reminders to meditate
• Try a meditation app or podcast
• Meditate with your friends or family members
• Read more and learn about the power of meditation

How Meditation Works To Change The Brain

Meditation induces structural changes^[4] in the brain areas that are related to metacognition, body consciousness, memory process, self-awareness, emotion regulation, and attention. Activation of the prefrontal cortex, linked to higher cognitive functions, and deactivation of the amygdala are important mechanisms of action of meditation. The amygdala is part of the brain associated with anger, anxiety, fear, and depression.

Meditation Tips and Techniques

To get the most from meditation, you may want to follow these tips and techniques:

• Meditate at the same time every day
• Explore different types and approaches
• Try meditating outdoor
• Reflect on things you’re grateful for
• Practice mindfulness in other aspects of life e.g. when eating
• Don’t sit cross-legged if you don’t find it comfortable
• Breathe naturally
• Be open-minded and non-judgmental to yourself
• Scan your body to become aware of various sensations

Potential Health Benefits of Meditation

Meditation has enormous potential for stress relief and improves physical and psychological health. Stress is associated with oxidative stress and inflammation^[5], which cause numerous health problems.

The main health benefit of meditation is associated with changes in the autonomic nervous system that lower sympathetic and elevate parasympathetic tone. The sympathetic tone is connected to your fight-or-flight mode while the parasympathetic tone is associated with relaxation.

Meditation stimulates the parasympathetic system^[6], which is associated with normalized breathing and heart rate, reduction in stress hormones, improved digestion, and dilation of blood vessels.

Meditation can also help achieve sleep hypnosis, which is an excellent way to fight sleep deprivation and get enough rest. Lack of sleep weakens the immune system, increases stress, slows down metabolism, and harms overall well-being.

In combination with the Somulin Sleep Aid Supplement, meditation helps improve the quality of sleep and promotes overall well-being.

Meditation and Chronic Conditions

Meditation can help prevent or manage a wide spectrum of chronic conditions, including:

• Anxiety and depression
• High blood pressure
• Heart diseases
• Chronic pain
• Insomnia
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Diabetes
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Psoriasis and eczema

Beginner’s Tips for Meditating

If you’ve never meditated before, these tips will help you out:

• Find a teacher or instructor
• Read books or download meditation-related apps
• Remember that practice makes perfect
• Start meditating without expectations
• Wear your favorite clothes
• Try not to fidget or move too much
• Allow thoughts to come and go
• Have music play in the background
• Acknowledge your emotions

FAQs

How much should I meditate?

Meditation should be an integral component of a healthy lifestyle. There is no specific timeframe for practicing meditation. If you need it for sleep hypnosis and a good night’s rest, it would be ideal to meditate every night.

What are the 4 pillars of meditation?

The four pillars of meditation are self-knowledge, reflective thought, therapeutic meditation, and contemplation.

How do I know if I'm meditating correctly?

You know you’re meditating correctly if you experience a heightened sense of self-awareness, but not dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. Also, you may notice things you haven’t noticed before.

How many minutes should I meditate for?

Start slow and meditate for about five minutes then work your way up to 10-15 and 20-30 minutes a day.

Takeaway

Meditation has an extraordinary potential to improve our physical and mental well-being. Morning meditation can help you start your day with a sense of calmness allowing you to engage in your daily activities with a mindful spirit. Adding meditation to your lifestyle and practicing at any time of day should foster improvements to your physical and mental health. Meditation can also give you a better perspective of yourself and every aspect of your life.

References

1] ↑https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4895748/
2] ↑https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28863392/
3] ↑https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2834575/
4] ↑https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7359050/
5] ↑https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5476783/
6] ↑https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6137615/