Why I meditate

Although I had tried meditation several times throughout my adult life, it was only after a personal tragedy that I began to practise it regularly. Seeking a way to calm my mind and make sense of my thoughts. What started as a quiet experiment soon became an essential part of my day. It gave me a rare kind of stillness, one that I hadn’t realised I was missing.

At first, the logical, science-minded part of me was slightly irritated by how well it worked. How could sitting still and breathing differently make such a difference to how I felt? It didn’t seem rational, which, of course, only made me want to understand it more. So I started reading, learning about the effects of meditation on the brain, the nervous system, and sleep. Once I understood the why as well as the how, something clicked. The scepticism fell away, and I began to trust the process fully.

Now, I meditate most evenings to help close out the day. It gives me a moment to step back and re-frame whatever’s been difficult, to look at the day’s challenges without the noise or emotion that usually accompany them. It’s become a reset button for my mind, helping me let go of what can’t be changed and find calm before sleep.

Life doesn’t often give me much time for rest. Between responsibilities and unpredictable nights, sleep can feel like a luxury, and spending part of that time meditating once seemed counterproductive. But the truth is, I sleep better and deeper after I meditate. My body relaxes more easily, my thoughts quieten faster, and I wake up clearer, even on shorter nights.

Meditation, for me, isn’t about escape or spirituality. It’s about balance. It’s a small daily act of self-maintenance. A reminder that even in chaos, there’s space to pause, breathe, and find stillness. That few minutes of quiet has become one of the most powerful tools I have for staying grounded and present, no matter what the day brings.