The Power of Meditation for Seniors
As we gracefully age, it becomes increasingly vital to focus on holistic well-being. Meditation is a timeless practice that holds incredible benefits for seniors, contributing to improved mental clarity, emotional balance, and overall quality of life.
Benefits of Meditation for Seniors
Reduce stress, anxiety and depression
20% of adults 55 and over experience some kind of anxiety or other mood disorders, including depression. Meditation reduces stress levels and also allows you to control your response to stress and different triggers.
Control pain
Chronic pain increases with age, especially in seniors over the age of 65. Practices like mindfulness meditation allow you to focus on your breathing and stimulate blood flow; practices like movement meditation (yoga) strengthens bones and eases arthritis and other joint pain.
Stabilize/boost memory
30 minutes of mediation per day has been shown to increase gray matter in the hippocampus, which plays an important role in memory and learning. Meditation can also help reduce the cognitive challenges a senior may face with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
Tips for Seniors who Want to Start Meditating
Be patient and give yourself time
Developing new habits takes time. Start small, with just a few minutes per day, to get into the habit and get used to the process.
Limit distractions
Trying to meditate in a busy room full of people, or with the TV on probably won’t be effective. Find a quiet place, sit still and take deep breaths. Try to think of a mantra, word or prayer you can say and focus on during your meditation. This also helps regulate yourself in times of stress.
Add exercise to your meditation routine
Low impact exercise is great for older adults to stay active, and combined with a meditation practice can be beneficial to overall health.
Adjust your practice to your physical capabilities
Whatever kind of meditation practice you choose, make sure it fits your physical abilities. If you have balance issues, yoga or tai chi might not be a safe option, but practicing mindful meditation can offer similar benefits, such as reduced stress, lower blood pressure and reduced pain.
Aging can be difficult, but incorporating mindful practices like meditation into our everyday lives can make it easier on us both physically and mentally. Our team supports our residents and helps them find attainable ways to improve their quality of life as they age.
Learn more about the ways we support our residents, and schedule a tour today.