Q: Dear Todd, sometimes when I meditate after a long run, I’m able to quiet my thoughts, but other times it’s harder. Is it better to meditate before or after a long, strenuous activity?

TODD ANSWERS: This is really a personal choice as there is no wrong time to meditate. What matters most is consistency. Oftentimes, a meditation where our mind is very chaotic can be the best thing to do in that situation. Other times, when we are feeling very relaxed can be the perfect opportunity to experience a deeper peace through meditation and to enjoy that more restorative and rejuvenating experience. When the meditation is hard, we benefit from greater discipline and we strengthen our ability to be peaceful at difficult times. When it is easy, we can experience the effortless joy and the rewards of our hard work.