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In the autumn of life, mindfulness and meditation serve as effective tools to boost overall well-being. While many people think these techniques are just for the youthful, they provide significant benefits for all ages, including seniors. Mindfulness and meditation for seniors offer a wide array of benefits. From boosting mental health to reducing stress, mindfulness and meditation are the keys to aging gracefully.

What is Meditation?

Meditation is an activity that’s comprised of clearing one’s mind using a blend of techniques. Essentially, you train your mind to focus and redirect your thoughts to feel a sense of calm and increased awareness.  

Benefits of Mindfulness and Meditation for Seniors

Mindfulness and meditation for seniors can offer a path to improved peace, better health, and a reinvigorated sense of purpose. From reducing anxiety to bolstering cognitive function, there are many benefits of mindfulness and meditation for seniors. Below you can learn about how these techniques can bring an array of benefits.

Promotes Sleep

Meditation can be used as a relaxation technique to promote sleep. Issues with sleep are often caused by ongoing illnesses, inadequate nutrition, and stress. By practicing meditation before heading to bed, you’ll have a much more peaceful state of mind as tension is released from the body.

Lowers Anxiety and Stress

Studies show that meditation helps lower anxiety and the body’s stress response because it tackles symptoms associated with anxiety disorder. As you meditate, you’re focused on diminishing the thoughts that harm your mental well-being.

Enhances Memory

Memory loss is one of the unpleasant effects that come with aging. Just 30 minutes a day of mindfulness meditation can boost gray matter in the hippocampus which helps retain short-term and long-term memory.

Improves Immune System

Mindfulness and meditation have shown signs of helping to boost the immune system. This technique can also treat a number of inflammatory issues such as irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis.

SEE ALSO: 3 Things to Avoid After 70 Years Old (For Longer, Healthier Life)

 

Types of Meditation

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There are various types of meditation methods that can be used. For seniors, exploring different types of meditation can provide a way to build mindfulness and enhance overall well-being. From the calming mantra meditation to the deep journey of mindfulness meditation, there’s a type that can fit everyone’s needs.

Meditation with Eyes Open

If you don’t want to close your eyes to meditate, you can use a walking meditation method. You can simply find a trail or path where you can get in touch with nature and practice being cognizant of your surroundings.

Mindfulness Meditation

Mindfulness meditation involves training your mind to release negativity and hamper racing thoughts. With a combination of meditation and mindfulness, you can be completely focused on what’s going on now while bringing a sense of calm to your mind and body.

Mantra Meditation

With this type of meditation, you’ll repeat a phrase or word, either silently or out loud. By practicing this repetition, you’ll be able to focus your mind, restrain invasive thoughts, and bring on a state of tranquility. Mantra-based methods have been shown to boost cognitive function and lower blood pressure.  

How to Get Started with Meditation

There are plenty of ways to start your mindfulness and meditation for seniors journey. With numerous techniques out there, it can feel overwhelming, but there’s no need to fret. You can narrow it down to what suits you best. Here are some ways to get started with your meditation routine.

Get Rid of all Distractions

Find a quiet and calming place to sit and take deep breaths. Concentrate on inhaling and exhaling while releasing your thoughts and clearing your mind.

Incorporate Exercise Into Your Meditation

Exercises such as tai chi and yoga that are included in your meditation technique have proven to be advantageous. Try low-impact exercises that don’t cause any stress on the bones and muscles.

Use a Wellness App

Applications are a great outlet for seniors. Health apps offer many lifestyle tools to help improve well being. More than 70,000 health apps exist on the market today, which is ideal if you are unable to take meditation classes. Some of the most popular apps include Fitbit, Calm, Meditopia, and MyFitnessPal.

Ask for Tips

There are many people who have incorporated meditation into their daily routines. You can get great tips from people who are in your social circle or those who have comparable interests. Platforms such as Reddit and YouTube are also great places for resources.  

Takeaway

Mindfulness and meditation are not just methods reserved for the young. They are everlasting techniques that come with a plethora of benefits that are extremely beneficial for seniors. From enhancing memory to boosting the immune system while gaining a sense of tranquility and overall well-being, these techniques can substantially bolster the quality of the later years. If you’re interested in learning more about services offered at Senior Check-In, contact us today, or call 855-420-1200.

 

Senior Check-In 

This information was provided by Senior Check-In in Indiana. Senior Check-In offers home care services including memory care, respite care, and companion care.

Interested in learning more about Senior Check-In? Contact us online, or call at (855) 420-1200.