It’s essential to take care of your body before meditation. So if you’re feeling thirsty, drink some water before starting your meditation. When meditating, you’ll need your total concentration, so being thirsty can make you lose concentration.
On the other hand, avoid taking water immediately after meditation if you want to enjoy the benefits of the session entirely. Meditation is an amazing tool for connecting with your inner self and making room for growth. It’s widespread because people from different religions practice it.
This technique dates back 5,000 years and is still growing at an increasing rate. In addition, people are adopting technology to improve their meditation experiences, such as the use of meditation apps and programs. As a result, researchers expect the global meditation market to reach USD 9 Billion by 2027.
Here are things you need to know about meditation.
Can You Drink Water Before Meditation?
It’s a good idea to drink some water before beginning your meditation session if you’re thirsty. You don’t want to go overboard, though. If you drink too much water before the session, you may need to interrupt it to use the restroom.
But, if you’re not thirsty, there’s no need to drink water just because it is time for your practice. That said, feeling parched can make it difficult for you to overcome distractions and focus on meditating. So, if you choose not to have any water beforehand, be prepared that you may feel uncomfortable as your meditation progresses.
If you feel you cannot do the meditation without drinking water, the best time to do so is at least 20 minutes before you start your practice. Drinking water immediately before meditation can make you feel bloated or complete.
Can You Drink Water After Meditation?
Of course, you can. Just don’t reach for your water bottle the second you stop meditating. It would be best if you took a moment to reflect on how you’re feeling and what you’re thinking. If you go back to your normal activities, whether drinking water or checking your phone, it will be harder to tell if meditation has affected how you feel.
So it’s good to give yourself at least a 20 minute break before drinking your water.
Meditation In Detail?
“Meditation is the soul’s tongue and the language of our spirit.” Jeremy Taylor. Meditation is a technique for focusing attention on a single object or thought. Your thoughts will become still as a result of this, allowing you to relax deeply and calmly.
It’s also a simple and effective technique to control your emotions, reduce stress, and improve general well-being.
What Are the Benefits?
“Meditation is not evasion; it is a serene encounter with reality.” Thich Nhat Hanh.
Meditation results in health, emotional and physical benefits that boost your well-being. You can only reap these benefits by practicing proper form and consistency.
- Increases creativity and productivity: This technique helps you become more creative and productive by increasing focus and attention span.
- Reduces stress and anxiety: Meditation has been demonstrated to increase dopamine levels (the happy hormone), which can help with depression and anxiety symptoms.
- Improves overall health: Practicing meditation can help improve overall health by lowering blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol levels.
- Weight loss: Meditation can help promote weight loss by feeling more in control of your eating habits.
- Better sleep: After meditation, you can sleep better, so you’ll feel refreshed and ready to take on the day when you wake up.
What Are the Common Mistakes That Make Meditation Not Work for You?
If you’re looking for a way to relax, focus, and center yourself, meditation can be a great choice. It’s crucial to note that mastering this simple technique requires time and attention. The following are some common meditation blunders to avoid:
1. Forcing Your Mind into Silence
If your mind keeps wandering, or if it keeps throwing up roadblocks during meditation, just let it be. Don’t worry about where your thoughts are going—notice them and let them go. By letting go of your need for control over the process of meditation, you can easily let go of whatever emotions or thoughts are disturbing you.
2. Thinking You’re Not Good at It
Everyone has their own pace when learning something new. So don’t compare yourself with other people or feel bad if you don’t seem to be making any progress on an immediate level. Instead, keep showing up and trying again every day.
You’ll get there eventually if you keep practicing consistently over time.
3. Irregular Meditation
Meditation, like any other exercise, works best with consistency. For example, doing it for 20 minutes daily is better than doing it for one hour once a week. If there’s no consistency, you won’t get great results.
4. Not Going Deep Enough
It can feel like a huge let down if you’re not going deep enough during meditation. You’ve made the time for it, clearing your schedule—yet nothing. Meditation is about being there fully, which can be difficult when we’re used to rushing through everything or overthinking.
When you sit down to meditate, don’t worry about how much time has passed or how long it will take before you start feeling something. So, focus on your breath and let go of any thoughts.
5. Trying Too Hard and Rushing the Process
Meditation should be relaxing and enjoyable, not stressful. It won’t work well for you if you’re trying too hard or expecting too much from your meditation sessions. Take your time preparing for the session by allowing your mind to cool down.
Then, let your body unwind from all the hassles (you can even take a shower) to transition to a meditating state slowly. After this, start with an open mind, without any expectations.
Commonly Asked Questions About Meditations (FAQs)
Below are some of the questions meditation enthusiasts often ask.
1. What Should You Do Before Meditation?
Before you start meditating, make sure you’re comfortable, where you won’t be disturbed, and that you are well-rested. If possible, try to avoid eating very close to meditation time—your body needs time to digest food before it can focus on relaxing.
2. What Should I Eat or Drink Before Meditation?
It depends on you and your needs. Some people like to have a light snack, while others prefer to go without food. When you’re hungry, your body will be more focused on feeding itself than meditation.
So, if you’re feeling peckish, it’s best to eat something light (fruit, nuts, yogurt).
3. What Is the Ideal Time to Meditate?
An excellent time to meditate is when it’s convenient for you. The most important thing is that you do it—every day if possible. I know that’s vague, but there’s no right or wrong time to meditate.
It’s not like an “ideal” time slot where you can pop in and out of meditation quickly and easily. So it’s best to pick whatever time works best for you. I prefer doing my meditation in the morning when my mind and body are fresh.
Also, morning works best for me because there are no distractions. I can also plan my day’s activities after my session. Another plus to meditating in the morning is that it’s easier to have a perfect session on an empty stomach.
4. How Many Minutes Should You Meditate a Day?
It depends on your goals. If you’re trying to learn how to meditate, it’s best to start with a small amount of time each day and gradually increase it. If you’re looking for stress relief, 10 minutes per day is often recommended.
If you’re looking forward to improving your focus and concentration at work or school, 20-30 minutes per day is a good goal. Also, try meditating for 15-20 minutes before bed if you have trouble sleeping.
5. Do I Need to Sit in the Lotus Position During Meditation?
Not necessarily! Choose a comfortable position for you—you could even use a chair if you want to. The important thing is to find a good posture where you can be still and relaxed when you’re meditating.
It’s good to note that people often consider the lotus position as the most comfortable and stable way to sit while meditating. In addition, it allows your knees to rest easily on your mat, which can help you maintain a more upright posture while you focus.