This is how meditation could make you more successful, according to these 5 business leaders

How much of your time do you dedicate to meditation? It's a rising practice in the United States: According to federal estimates, more than 18 million Americans practice meditation on a daily basis.

But if you think meditation is a purely spiritual or ritualistic practice, you should reconsider your position. Meditation (in many forms, including mindfulness meditation) is purported to come with a host of benefits to your wellness and productivity.

Evidence? The American Psychological Association (APA) has aggregated some of the most empirically proven positive benefits of mindfulness meditation here; they include findings of:

The scientific evidence is convincing, but could your business really benefit from a short daily practice like this? These entrepreneurs seem to think so:

This billionaire founder of Bridgewater Associates encouraged his 735 employees to practice transcendental meditation on a regular basis. In a Business Insider interview, Dalio said, "I did it because it's the greatest gift I could give anyone — it brings about equanimity, creativity and peace." Since then, meditation practices have spread throughout Wall Street.

The CEO of LinkedIn since 2009, Weiner has taken the social app's membership from 33 million to more than 430 million. Part of his philosophy for success, he's said, involves his appreciation for health, love and time. In the realm of "health," Weiner has acknowledged using an app called Headspace to meditate daily. He frequently recommends the app to his employees and partners.

The executive chairman of Ford Motor Company, Ford takes time to meditate each day, no matter what. During his close call with bankruptcy nearly a decade ago, Ford admitted in a Harvard Business Review piece, "The practice of mindfulness kept me going during the darkest days." Meditation helped him improve his productivity but also to make decisions with compassion and kindness.

Benioff, founder of SalesForce, recommends meditation to all aspiring entrepreneurs and meditates every morning himself before work. His practice started after he received a piece of advice from Steve Jobs to "be mindful and project the future," according to a piece in ZDNet. Benioff has said he also takes time to express gratitude, as another way to clear his mind at the start of the day.

Current chair and CEO of Rush Communications, Simmons is perhaps better known as the cofounder of Def Jam Recordings. A few years ago, he wrote a piece for Entrepreneur detailing his perspective on meditation and encouraging new and experienced entrepreneurs alike to build the habit. It's worth a read if you're interested in a first-person perspective on the matter.

Both anecdotal and empirical evidence seem to suggest that regular time devoted to mindfulness meditation can help you feel better, think better and work better. If you haven't yet given meditation a chance, try carving out a spot for it in your daily routine.