The Power of Habit: 6 Ways to Prioritize Your Transcendental Meditation Practice

Ever have trouble fitting in your Transcendental Meditation practice twice a day? Here’s a helpful list of six ways to make it a priority.

Don’t wait for the perfect setting.
When you’re traveling or having a busy day of meetings or classes, it’s not always possible to get home to practice TM. But because the TM technique can be practiced anywhere, you don’t have to wait for your usual, comfy spot to fit it in—you can do it on the bus, at the airport, in a parking lot, or outside on a bench. So long as it’s safe and comfortable, you’re good to go!

Schedule it into your day.
Make your TM practice a part of your regular routine by scheduling it into your day like you would an appointment. (Hint: It is an important appointment—with yourself!) You can even keep a log of how many days in a row you’ve meditated, to keep yourself motivated.

Swap it with your scroll time.
Don’t see how you could possibly fit in 20 minutes of TM every day? Look at some of the things you spend discretionary time on, like checking Facebook or browsing online. Could you swap a scroll session for a brief dive within? Try it for a few days and see how you feel.

Anchor it to another routine activity in your day.
Pick something you already do regularly—breakfast, dinner, a workout, your commute, kids’ activities—and connect your TM practice to that pre-established habit in order to make it a part of your routine.

Surround yourself with support.
The strength and influence of community can be a huge support in establishing a new habit. By meditating with friends, family, or coworkers, you can find the support you need in maintaining a regular TM practice. Just like having a gym buddy helps you stay motivated to work out, meditating with a partner or group creates accountability and helps ensure that you’ll reap the benefits of a regular practice.

Acknowledge the benefits.
Taking note of the positive results you experience when meditating regularly will help reinforce your growing habit. Whether you’re noticing reduced stress, clearer thinking, more energy, or other benefits from your TM practice, it’s always a good idea to acknowledge those positives in order to gain perspective on how your life may be improving.

Creating healthy new habits is a worthy pursuit any time of year! February 1st, or 5th (or any old Monday!) can be just as a much of a fresh start as January 1st. We hope these tips will help you find ways to create more time for yourself and your TM practice, no matter when you start!