We are usually quite apprehensive when it comes to adding new activities to our routine. “I’m just too busy>” – many say – “I don’t have time to this or that.”.

Meditation is one of those things that is dismissed more than anything else.

“I need to do so much throughout the day, how could I possibly find time to sit and do nothing?”

And it somewhat makes sense that adding to your schedule is just going to overload you even more.

However, it may be hard to believe it, but meditation actually helps you save time every day. And here’s how:

What is actually meditation? Simply put, meditation is sitting quietly while keeping your focus on your breath, a word or on bodily sensations.

It’s a common misconception that in order to meditate, you have to be able to clear your mind. This notion by itself has kept me away from harnessing the power of meditation for a very long time. No person or this planet can completely clear their mind. Instead, the practice of meditation involves developing the skill to redirect your mind to a desired object, at any time and any place.

So let’s say you have finally decided to give meditation a go. You find a comfortable position, close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Inevitably, after a short while, your mind will start racing – “Oh, I forgot to call the bank“, ”I need to buy groceries”, ”I need to cook” etc etc. And this is absolutely normal. It’s not a mistake and it doesn’t mean that you are not good at meditating. But as soon as you become aware of the voice in your head, just let it go and go back to focusing on your breath. Doing this again and again strengthen your ability to concentrate. Over time you will find it easier and easier not only to meditate but also to to focus and complete other tasks quickly and efficiently.   

Believe it or not, both stress and overwhelm are man-made concepts. It may sound harsh, but we actually make ourselves stressed and overwhelmed day by day. And this is precisely why one person finds certain tasks, circumstances and events stressful, while another feels perfectly comfortable with them.

And why is that?

Remember that voice from point 1, the one you hear during meditation? Well, I don’t know whether you’ve noticed, but that voice is with you all the time. And what it actually does is continually reminds you of old believes, habits, values and ideas that you have learned since childhood from the grown ups around you.

So let’s say, as a child, you’ve witnessed again and again your father coming home from a long day in the office, seemingly very stressed and overwhelmed. It is highly likely that today you find your job stressful and overwhelming. 

Anyway, the good news is that by meditating regularly you become aware of that voice and are able to easily dismiss its suggestions and thus create more pleasant values, beliefs and emotions for yourself.

Simply put, less stress and more focus lead to more productivity.

In a study, published on 25 May 2015 by K Shiba et. al. and titled The Association between Meditation Practice and Job Performance: A Cross-Sectional Study the researchers concluded that regular meditation practice enhances job performance in multiple ways. Individuals who engage in meditation on a daily basis feel better engaged at work, they perform better and are more satisfied with their work overall, compared to those who don’t meditate.

We all have those moments when we just can’t but snap at our partner or children, sometimes with no particular reason at all. Then we spend a substantial amount of time repeating the bitter conversation in our head, again and again. We blame ourselves and regret for not being able to react in a better, more kind and loving way.

Well, there is a way to do that. And that way is through engaging with regular meditation practice. As we spend more and more time sitting quietly and developing the skill to ignore  that annoying voice buzzing in our head continuously, and divert our attention elsewhere, we simultaneously learn to become better aware of our thoughts and emotions.

It’s pretty much like watching yourself on a videotape. Meditation and mindfulness allow you to play the video in a slow motion, hit pause on the bloopers and insert a brand new perfect recording In their places. It’s magic really. 

Not only meditation makes you more productive, focused and less stressed, but it also makes you happier. And I’m not talking about the transient happiness you feel when you buy a new phone, or a dress. But the happiness you feel, when you engage in a regular meditation practice, is deep and long lasting. That is what we call bliss or joy. And it comes from realising the richness of the simple stuff you already possess – warm home, loving family, access to fresh food and water And many others.

Above, I have listed just 5 of the amazing benefits of meditating regularly, but there are so many more that I haven’t mentioned here. I encourage you to try meditation and discover the myriad of wonderful blessings for yourself.