Are you looking to incorporate mindfulness into your life during your golden years? If so, you may be thinking of trying out meditation. You may be surprised to learn that older adults have some advantages when it comes to meditation, such as more time to devote to the practice as well as greater wisdom. In this article, you can learn more about four meditation techniques you can try as an older adult!
Why Try Meditation?
There are many good reasons older adults should try out meditation, including:
- Cultivating a better sense of presence and awareness
- Teaching your body and mind to relax and let go of anxiety
- Allowing you to better practice non-judgment in your daily life
- … and more!
Consider Mini Sessions
If it’s physically uncomfortable for you to remain in one position for long, consider a few mini-sessions throughout the day instead of one long session. During each mini-session, all you need to do is focus on being present for a few minutes, or a few breaths. After which, relax your mind and body before you are ready to start another session.
Combine Meditation with Exercise
If you already engage in a form of exercise that’s conducive to meditation, such as yoga or tai chi, you may wish to combine that with meditation. When you combine meditation with physical movement, there remains a large potential to benefit both your mind and body at the same time. In addition, it comes with the bonus of helping you stay fit!
Find a Position You Are Comfortable in
There’s no one fixed position you have to be in while meditating. If you are unable to sit up for long, consider lying down or leaning back in a comfortable armchair. From there, focus on a series of physical sensations to help you stay alert. You may wish to follow a guided meditation routine until you have familiarized yourself with the process.
Find a Comforting Verse or Mantra to Focus on
This can be extremely helpful if you are finding it hard to focus or if you wish to intertwine your faith with meditation. You can choose a psalm from the Bible, a prayer, a personal mantra that means a lot to you, or anything at all – as long as it helps you on your journey towards mindfulness! You will find that reciting this mantra can help you to manage symptoms of anxiety and restore inner peace.
Come to The Trace for Health and Mindfulness Programs
Are you looking to get in touch with your inner self during your golden years? If so, come to The Trace for senior living health programs that take into account all aspects of your health, including mental, social, and emotional. You can find a wide range of senior living community events onsite and no matter what you choose to take part in each day, you can be sure there’s always something to occupy your time with!
Contact us today to schedule a tour of our senior living community.
