Wine gets better and better with age and we all dream of aging like good wine as the years go by. This dream is rarely realized. Growing old comes with its share of losses and challenges. The digestive system becomes finicky, aches and pains seem to spring out of nowhere and moods may be less predictable, and memory loss accelerates. Thankfully there are steps that can be taken to make the goal of “aging gracefully” more attainable. Mindfulness training of meditation is one of those steps. It has been proven that regular meditation comes with a wide range of physical, mental, and emotional health benefits, particularly for seniors.
It has been a well-established fact that meditation keeps our minds relaxed and engaged. By incorporating mindful meditation into daily routine in senior years ( if not earlier 🙂 ), the following health benefits are experienced :
- It reduces and controls blood pressure
- It improves the functioning of the immune system which in turn regulates the cortisol levels.
- Relaxes muscles and reduces the aches associated with stress and anxiety.
- Lowers the risk of diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol.
Meditation has a calming effect on the mind and body. While meditating, one either sits or lies down and is still. Now try not to dwell on the thoughts that may drift through your head. As one meditates, the breath and heart rate slows down, and blood pressure, stress, and tension decrease. Mindfulness is simply observing and accepting thoughts as they occur without judgment. Mindfulness meditation focuses on the present and does not focus on worrying about the future or ruminating on the past.
Mindful meditation is just one of the many meditation techniques.
It has been scientifically proved by scientists who are studying age-related issues that meditation can offset the age-related cognitive decline. It activates the “feel-good” prefrontal cortex, and can also actually change your brain to improve focus, creativity, and cognitive function. It also uplifts moods and emotions. It reduces loneliness and improves irritation bowel syndrome.
Ready to become a happier, healthier, more-focused human? Take the mindful meditation route.
- Here is an easy way to begin practicing mindful meditation.
- Set a fixed time and space.
- Start small, maybe for 15 minutes.
- Start by sitting still or lying down in a peaceful place.
- Take deep diaphragmatic breaths. Focus on inhaling and exhaling, and acknowledge any other physical sensations your body is telling you about. Whatever be your posture, check that the spine is straight.
- Try to completely clear the mind. Random thoughts will attempt to distract you. Acknowledge those thoughts with kindness and invite them to relax and release.
- Feel and watch your breath.
- Take a moment to give thanks for your body and mind.
- Now notice how you feel. That’s it! Sounds way too easy, right?
This is all for this post. So in the next post, we will be talking about another important issue in the second innings.
I am participating in #BlogchatterA2Z.
My other posts in the category “Second Innings” can be found here.
Very good points. Once we accept that aging is inevitable, then it becomes easy to adapt.
N = Nagaland
Thank you. Yeah, it is all about acceptance.
So many benefits and yet we are hardly mindful, with our mind being constantly distracted by a thousand chores all at once.
I tell you, multitasking is overrated! 😐
Ao many benefits and yet we are hardly mindful, our mind being distracted by a thousand different chores all at once.
I tell you, multitasking is overrated! 🙁
Very right. Now researches are also proving that multitasking is not so good.
Very helpful tips 👍
Thanks!