Is Meditation a Waste of Time: 3 Things You Need to Know
Is Meditation Useless? Absolutely NOT! But, there are some things you definitely need to know before you start.
For anyone just starting their meditation journey, the beginning is normally the most awkward part. When I first started in 2016, I spent most weeks fumbling through different practices and often asking myself, “Is meditation a waste of time?” and “Does meditation actually do something?”.
But trust me—when you finally get meditation and know how to effectively practice, your life completely changes. You completely change.
Before practicing meditation, I was easily disturbed by my mind and emotions and my confidence was dependent on other’s approval. Now, I feel in tune with myself, I manage difficult emotions much better, my mind is clear and spacious and my confidence has skyrocketed! And meditation impressed me so much that I decided to become a meditation teacher.
Hey there, I’m Rebecca Michelle!
I’m a meditation coach who’s mission is to make meditation approachable and effective for everyone, whether you're a total beginner or someone looking to deepen your practice.
Today’s discussion is for the meditation skeptics and we’ll be exploring what you need to know about meditation.
My first year of practice was anything but smooth—I almost gave up. If you’ve ever wondered, “Is meditation even worth it?” then this discussion is for you!
What You’ll Learn in Today’s Blog Post:
Why meditation feels useless: 3 things to know before you start
Why meditation is worth it: 3 real life examples of the benefits
7 simple steps to start a five minute meditation practice
So, let’s get into it!
3 Reasons You’re Thinking “Is meditation a waste of time?”
To be frank, meditation is not useless. But, here are some reasons why people think this:
#1. Meditation is a waste of time when you don’t know how to properly meditate. You won’t get the results you desire unless you understand why you’re meditating and how to effectively practice. I first started meditating because I was unsatisfied in life and needed guidance. Everyone has a reason to start so get really clear on your “why” and find a meditation that serves your goal. If it feels too overwhelming or confusing to start (because there are tons of meditations out there), I suggest attending a structured program to learn the basics. I struggled to see results or grasp the depth of meditation until I joined a one-month program in Bali.
What happens after 1 month of meditation?
I quickly advanced and grew more in that one month program, than one year on my own. Working with an experienced teacher helped me deepen my practice and expand my mind. With continued guidance, I began to notice a positive shift in my thoughts and emotions and I received the guidance I was looking for.
#2. Another reason you think meditation is useless is because you’re not practicing consistently. Meditation is not something you do once and bam, your whole life changes. You have to make a conscious effort to incorporate it into your weekly routine.
How quickly do you see results from meditation?
Most of my clients have deep realizations and great insights after just one session. Also, they generally feel more calm and present after each guided class. We typically practice formal seated meditation once a week, which is enough to make a meaningful and lasting impact. On the days we don’t meet, they use a guided meditation recording to maintain their practice. Therefore, you must be consistent to see results.
#3. The last reason people may feel meditation isn’t worth it is because they aren’t getting results quick enough. Everyone’s meditation journey unfolds on it’s own timeline and this is something we can not rush. However, there are two things I want to mention: #1. Make sure you’re practicing correctly. #2. If you’re practicing correctly and not seeing results, have more patience.
How do you know if meditation is working?
Regardless of any result your meditation is meant to achieve, overtime you’ll notice an increased sense of self-awareness. I always tell my clients, “If you aren’t learning anything about yourself through meditation, then you aren’t doing it right”. Meditation is also about understanding your strengths, weaknesses, thinking patterns, emotions and so on.
Now that we know some reasons why people think meditation is a waste of time, let’s get into why it’s worth it!
Why Meditation is Worth It: Real Life Examples of The Benefits
Here are the top reasons to practice meditation backed by science and how I’ve personally experienced them:
It Improved the Way I Managed Stress: Stress in life is inevitable, but when we have tools to manage stress effectively it makes all the difference. By practicing meditation consistently, you’ll find yourself handling challenges like a pro and you won’t be so disturbed when things don’t go your way.
For example, when I would run late I used to get carried away with negative thoughts. Now, I focus on staying calm and arriving to my destination safely. When my dog got sick, instead of feeling helpless and hopeless, I focused on what I could control and practiced self-care as needed.
A steady meditation practice helps you maintain your calm and respond to challenges from a grounded place instead of reacting. So if you’ve ever thought, Is meditation useless? remember that meditating regularly will help you reduce stress and manage it more effectively.
It Enhanced My Focus & Concentration: Before I started meditating, I had a very overactive mind (any other Geminis here?!) and it was exhausting. Once I started practicing, I realized how meditation is a practice that trains your brain to focus on one thing at a time. The practice of paying attention to one thing for an extended period of time, naturally moves into a state of concentration.
Meditation improved my attention span and concentration levels so that I can filter out distractions easily and get things done! I’m no longer mentally scattered and can focus my energy to achieve my goals.
If emotional awareness and expression is something you’ve struggled with like me, meditation can be one of the best tools for emotional regulation and stability.
It Improved My Emotional Well-being: This was a BIG one for me as I could get overwhelmed by my emotions and it never felt natural for me to express them. It’s still something I’m actively working on.
However, through meditation I’ve become more aware of my emotions (as sometimes I could just live in my head). I’ve also learned that all emotions are okay. Now, I validate my emotions and actively work with acceptance and compassion, instead of getting caught up in thinking I shouldn’t be angry or jealous or disappointed. This validation has allowed me to learn how to navigate difficult emotions better so I can support myself as needed. This has been huge for me.
You’ll Sleep Better and Fall Asleep Faster: This is one of the main reasons why a lot of my clients start meditating with me is because of a busy mind at night. If you’ve ever struggled with falling asleep or staying asleep due to an overactive mind especially before bed, meditation can help.
I suggest a lying down guided meditation that focuses on deep breathing or a relaxing body scan. This will help calm the nervous system, reduce racing thoughts and prepare the body for rest. By incorporating meditation into your nighttime routine, (even just 15 minutes) you can experience more deep, restful sleep, increased energy levels and better cognitive function throughout the day.
Imagine waking up feeling refreshed, versus groggy and irritable. Meditation can make that dream come true (pun intended)!
Still skeptical about meditation? If you’re convinced meditation rocks, (which I hope you are) I’m going to share a short five minute practice to help you begin!
How to Start Your Meditation Practice
The best way to start is small. Here, we’ll begin with just 5 minutes making this short and sweet. You don’t need to meditate for hours or everyday to see benefits. Use these simple steps to begin your meditation journey:
Find a Quiet Space: Choose a peaceful environment where you won’t be disturbed.
Make Your Body Comfortable in Your Seat: Adjust yourself as need to feel as relaxed as possible.
Body Scan: Do a quick body scan from head to toe and release tension.
Set Timer for Five Minutes: This is so you won’t be thinking about when to stop.
Take Three Deep Breathes: As you breath in, bring the breath all the way into the belly and fill up the lungs. Be sure to make an soft “ahhhhh” sound on the exhale. Sighing helps settle and calm your energy.
Focus on Your Breath: Pay attention to the natural rhythm of your breath, inhaling and exhaling slowly. Don’t worry if your mind wanders—just gently bring it back to your breath and let all thoughts come and go.
End with Gratitude: After the timer goes off, take a moment to close the practice remembering something you’re grateful for.
A few last pointers; use a guided meditation if you find it too challenging to guide yourself, be patient as building up the habit of presence takes time and stay consistent as meditation is something you need to do consistently to see results.
So, Is it Worth it to Meditate?
Absolutely!
Whether you’re looking to reduce stress, improve focus, sleep better or cultivate self-awareness, meditation offers something for everyone. It’s a simple yet powerful way to transform your life.
Check out my other blogs with even more insights on why you should begin, little ways to start and how it creates mental clarity and emotional peace.
The next time you catch yourself with a scattered mind or unable to sleep, I encourage you to give meditation a try and see how powerful it can be.
Work with a Meditation Teacher
Interested in meditating together? Check out my private meditation classes and let’s start your mindful journey to improved well-being today!
Rebecca Mistretta |
Mindfulness Meditation Teacher
I help overthinkers and busy minds understand how to become more mindful of thoughts and feelings in everyday life so they have more control over their actions and feel at peace.
