Mindful Meditation
Mindful meditation may not be a common practice for many people but it’s one that can have positive benefits for people of all ages, especially the elderly. This mental practice can calm the mind and body, reduce depression and pain, and increase the sense of well-being.
Mindful meditation describes a technique of relaxing while letting your brain observe and accept thoughts, focusing on the present and not judging your thoughts. Mediation has been shown to stimulate the memory centers in the brain. A recent study suggests meditation can even slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and age-related cognitive decline.
Meditation stimulates the brain’s prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for our “that feels good” sensations. Mindfulness is the focus during meditation to understand, acknowledge and accept what’s happening around you. Mindfulness can help manage moods, reactions to outside stimuli, and even reduce loneliness.
How to Meditate
To begin to practice mindful meditation, find a quiet place where you can sit or lie still. Take deep, calm breaths, focusing on inhaling and exhaling as you acknowledge other physical sensations. Work to clear your mind of intruding thoughts. When those thoughts happen, acknowledge their message then dismiss them. For example, if thoughts of pain or discomfort come to you, it’s okay to think something like: “Yes, I have some pain today. That’s happening in my body but my pain is not all of me. I am more than my discomfort.”
Give thanks for your mind and body, your thoughts and talents. Give yourself some praise for things that are part of you. Think about how you feel after spending some time in mindful meditation. Do you feel more at peace? Are you experiencing more pleasant thoughts? Have physical or emotional discomforts lessoned?
Meditation for the Elderly
Aging often comes with increased issues, both physical and mental. All of us face a limited lifespan and many of us encounter barriers that change how, or even where, we live as we grow older. Mindful meditation may make things easier in that process.
At BeeHive Homes, we also make life easier for the elderly and their families. Our assisted living homes offer comfortable, home-like settings for seniors who need help with the activities of daily living or memory care. We serve our elderly residents with care and compassion. If you or a family member are considering assisted living in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Rio Rancho or other New Mexico cities, please call to speak with one of our wonderful staff about the options at BeeHive Homes.
