More than 14% of adults in the US have tried meditation at least once, and if you're one of them, you may already know some of the many benefits of merging your meditation practice with your exercise routine. (For more info on this, check out How Meditation Helps You Exercise More Powerfully) But when exactly is the best time to meditate for the best results with your exercise routine? And, as it turns out, both times, before and after exercise, have something to offer. Let's take a closer look.
Meditation has many benefits that can easily help you make huge gains in your health and wellness, and huge gains in your workout. On the one hand, meditation can help you focus, gain clarity and help you breathe better.
"…meditating before your workout will help you increase your focus. On the other hand, as you should already know, practicing meditation after exercise will help you improve your future performances and aid in your body's recovery. On top of that, it can also help you reduce pain after an intense workout." (declutterthemind.com, Meditation After Exercise (What and Why You Should) — Declutter the Mind)
And on the other hand, meditation can help you calm your mind, lower stress levels, and help you find a state of relaxation and balance.
"Meditation after exercise plays an essential role in recovery. It can help your body get better faster while reducing the risk of injury, thanks to the lowering of cortisol on your body." (declutterthemind.com, Meditation After Exercise (What and Why You Should) — Declutter the Mind)
The first group of benefits can help you prepare for exercise and the second group can help you recover. So, which of these groups of benefits is more beneficial? Or could it be that you need a balance between the two?
And if so, maybe the answer as to which time is best for meditating as it relates to your exercise routine isn't so clear cut, and that maybe you need a more whole person and whole health approach? That's the real benefit of balancing exercise and meditation, it's less focused on finding the perfect routine and perfect results and focused more on your growth as a whole person. Do what's right for you at this moment. If you need help focusing before exercise, then try meditating beforehand. If you need help winding down after exercise, then meditate after. And, if you want both benefits, then consider a smaller meditation at both ends of your workout routine. It's all about what's best for you, so, try adding in some meditation, experiment with timing, and see what happens. Your health and wellness are in your hands, you got this!