How to add meditation into your workout routine

People who regularly workout have shown a commitment to their physical wellness. However, it’s important to keep in mind that that’s not the only component of having good overall health and fitness. The mind matters, too. There’s been a growing emphasis on the importance of mental health in recent years, and in this day and age, we have a greater understanding of steps people can take to push their mental health forward.

Working out itself can boost mental well-being, but it often can’t do all the heavy lifting. Most people find that it’s best to supplement their workout with other activities that have been shown to provide mental well-being, such as meditation. You can do this at any time of the day to get the benefits, but many people find it easier to incorporate it into their workout routine to create a solid overall wellness package. Here’s what you need to know.

Why Meditate?

You’ll be more likely to incorporate meditation into your workout if you know the benefits of doing so. Some people believe that meditation is all about sitting under a tree contemplating the world, but that’s not the case. There are real, tangible benefits to making meditation a regular part of your life.

For instance, did you know that it can enhance workout performance? Meditation can put you into a calm state of mind, which allows you to focus on the present and fully engage with your workout routine. Meditation has also been shown to lower the body’s stress levels, and the less cortisol you have flowing through your body, the easier it is to build muscle and achieve the other gains from your workouts.

Now that we understand why you should build meditation into your workout routine, let’s focus on how to do so.

Find the Optimal Time

You don’t necessarily have to find the optimal time to meditate since doing it at any time of the day is better than not at all. But you might help your workout if you consider the best time to do so. It’s generally best to meditate after a workout, but there are some instances when it may be beneficial to do so before. Let’s take a look.

Before Workout

Meditating before working out is generally best for instances when you’re not completely looking forward to what you’re about to do. For example, if you’re not thrilled that you’re about to run 10 miles, then spending 10 minutes meditating can help to provide that extra dose of motivation. It’s also recommended if you’re doing something that makes you nervous — if you have performance anxiety in any way, such as nerves before a game or competition, then meditation can do wonders.

After Workout

Most people will find that it’s best to meditate following a workout, especially if they’re working out in a gym. Meditating when your body is relaxed is easier, and it can also help you wind down after you’ve finished. This is important if you work out late at night since the buzz that working out gives you might make it difficult to fall asleep.

Set Aside Time

You’ll get the most benefit from meditating if you do it regularly. It’s a bit like working out — you can’t expect to be in tip-top condition if you only work up a sweat once every couple of weeks. It’s best just to make meditation part of your workout. If you can’t take the thought of both getting into shape and meditating, then try to find an activity that combines both. Hiking, for example, can be a meditative activity, making it the ideal option. If you live in a rainy area, then it’s best to invest in clothing that’ll allow you to do it whatever the weather — take a look at The North Face discount codes to get a deal on waterproof gear. Whatever your approach, work on incorporating meditation into your life; it’ll help push you towards solid overall wellness.

Use Meditation to Set an Intention

Finally, you can use meditation to set an intention for your workout. Studies have shown that people who have a set goal for their workout tend to perform at a higher level than those who do not. Doing this often involves using a mantra during your meditation, and then reminding yourself of that mantra as you workout. It doesn’t really matter what the mantra is, so long as it’s something that pushes you towards doing your best. It might just make all the difference.