Unlocking the power of morning meditation
Morning meditation is more than just a serene start to your day; it's a practice that can transform your life. By incorporating morning meditation into your daily routine, you can experience a range of physical, mental, and emotional benefits.
These days everyone seems to be extolling the benefits of morning meditation, from corporate CEOs to stressed-out parents, from healthcare professionals to Hollywood celebrities, from
The benefits of morning meditation
Beginning your day with some quiet introspection has wide-ranging benefits. With improvements to your mental, cognitive, emotional, and physical health, let's explore why morning meditation is so valuable.
Enhanced mental clarity
Starting your day with meditation can significantly improve your mental clarity. Morning meditation helps to clear away the mental clutter and sets a calm and focused tone for the rest of the day. This clarity can improve decision-making, problem-solving, and creativity.
Reduced stress and anxiety
Morning meditation is a powerful tool for stress reduction. By practising meditation in the morning, you can lower cortisol levels, the stress hormone, in your body. This reduction in stress not only makes you feel more relaxed but also
Improved emotional well-being
Meditation in the morning can enhance your emotional resilience and stability. It allows you to start the day with a sense of peace and calm, making you better equipped to handle any challenges that come your way. Regular practice can lead to long-term improvements in emotional health, including reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Better focus and concentration
Morning meditation primes your brain for a day of heightened focus and concentration. It trains your mind to stay present, which can improve productivity and efficiency in all areas of your life. This increased focus is especially beneficial in current times, with the information overload and distractions we are bombarded with every day.
Enhanced physical health
The benefits of morning meditation extend to your physical health as well. It can lower blood pressure, improve sleep quality, and boost the immune system. The deep breathing exercises often associated with meditation can also increase lung capacity and improve overall respiratory function.
The power of Transcendental Meditation
While there are many forms of meditation, the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique stands out for its simplicity and effectiveness. The TM technique allows the mind and body to effortlessly settle into a state of restful alertness. Here are some specific benefits of practising TM in the morning:
Deep rest and relaxation
The TM technique provides a profound state of rest and relaxation, deeper than what is typically achieved through other forms of meditation.
Practising the TM technique in the morning helps release accumulated stress and tension from the body and mind, leading to a more relaxed and energised state throughout the day. The study below, published in the American Psychologist, found three physiological markers that show the rest achieved during TM practice is significantly deeper than simply resting with the eyes closed.¹
Increased energy and vitality
Morning TM practice can markedly boost your
Enhanced brain function
Research has shown that the TM technique can enhance brain function by increasing coherence in brain wave patterns. The brain connections displayed in this study below, published in Cognitive Processing, are highly correlated with improved cognitive function, including better memory, creativity, IQ, and problem-solving abilities.³
Practising the TM technique in the morning can set the stage for optimal brain performance throughout the day, as a result of this increased coherence.
“I feel as if my morning meditation brings more focus towards my day. I am able to grab my thoughts more clearly and have more energy.”
D, August 2022,
Emotional balance and stability
The TM technique is particularly effective in promoting emotional balance and stability. By reducing stress and anxiety, TM helps to cultivate a more positive and stable emotional state. Morning practice ensures that you start your day with a calm and centred mind, better equipped to handle any emotional challenges.
Furthermore, TM has been found to be over twice as effective as other techniques for reducing trait anxiety, as in this meta-analysis published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology.⁴
Spiritual growth
For many practitioners, the TM technique offers a pathway to spiritual growth and self-discovery. The deep inner silence experienced during TM practice can lead to a greater sense of connection with oneself and the world. Practising TM in the morning can create a sense of purpose and alignment that guides your actions and interactions throughout the day.
Jerry Seinfeld on morning meditation
Watch comedian Jerry Seinfeld, in partnership with the David Lynch Foundation. He recounts how incorporating TM practice into his morning routine changed things dramatically at the age of 60.
“I’ve been doing different types of meditation for over 20 years but nothing has been so simple, easy and effective as TM…I wake up very early and do my morning meditation which sets a positive mood for the start of my day.”
Chuck, May 2023,
Incorporating morning meditation into your daily routine can bring a multitude of benefits, from improved mental clarity and reduced stress to enhanced emotional well-being and physical health.
The Transcendental Meditation technique, with its
Embrace the power of morning meditation and Transcendental Meditation to transform your mornings – and your life.
Book a free info session
There are 80+ TM Centres in the UK where you can join an info session to connect with a local certified teacher and learn more about the TM technique.
By Carlos Cervantes, August 7 2024
References:
- Jevning R, Wilson AF, Davidson JM. Dillbeck MC, Orme-Johnson DW. Physiological differences between transcendental meditation and rest. American Psychologist, 1987 Sep 42(9):879-81
- Nader T, Carroll RJ, Travis FW, Bray JB, Gruener G, Rothenberg S, Brown DH, Brown CL. A larger lens: medical students benefit from consciousness-based self-care. In AK Maheshwari (ed), Consciousness-Based Leadership and Management, Volume 2, Chapter 2 (pp 13-46), 2023. Palgrave Studies in Workplace Spirituality and Fulfillment. doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-05839-4_2
- Travis, F., Haaga, DAF, Hagelin, J et al (2010). A self-referential default brain state: Patterns of coherence, power, and eLORETA sources during eyes-closed rest and transcendental meditation practice. Cognitive Processing, 11(1), 21–30
- Eppley K, Abrams A, Shear J. Differential effects of relaxation techniques on trait anxiety: a meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Psychology 1989 45(6):957-974