Health Importance of Meditation for the Elderly

For many years now, meditation has become integral for individuals of different age groups. There are different meditation styles, and while they are all important for your mental health, you must consider your personality and needs in order to get the one that’s perfect for you. Meditation offers some interesting health benefits for older adults who wish to revitalize their lifestyles. Here are seven health benefits older adults can get from meditating:

Improves the Immune System

The National Academy of Sciences published a study saying that there is proof that meditation can aid in improving the immune system. By meditating, you can repress damaging procedures while improving cortisol levels, which aids the function of the immune system. Meditation helps aid several inflammatory conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis.

Improves Flexibility, Balance, and Strength

Measured, slow motions while meditating, as well as yoga poses, can result in better movement and balance, which will also inevitably help reduce falls. Falls lead to a lot of injuries for older adults, but with yoga and meditation, seniors can improve their strength and balance.

Enhances Sleep

An activity that utilizes repetitive sounds, or a mantra meditation, can be used by seniors as a relaxation technique to improve sleeping habits. Sleep issues often emanate from poor diet, chronic illnesses, stress, or aging. However, some meditation before going to bed liberates some tension from the body, creating a tranquil state of mind. Research conducted by JAMA Internal Medicine revealed that individuals who meditated frequently reported less fatigue, insomnia, and other kinds of symptoms.

Manages Pain

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, long-term pain affects over 20.4% of adults. The pain increases as individuals grow older and is at its peak among older adults 65 and older. The perception of physical pain is associated with our minds and can be increased when we’re stressed. Mindfulness meditation is a perfect way to manage pain due to it allowing you to prioritize your breathing more.

Improves Attention Span

Meditating can have a vital effect on the endurance and strength of your attention span. A study by Frontiers in Human Neuroscience revealed that meditation enhances attention even in individuals who have just begun the practice. Over a prolonged period, the study also says that meditation will have positive effects on emotion regulation, attention span, emotion regulation, and body awareness.

Improves Mindfulness

Seniors face more stress as they get older, from adapting to new habits to moving between nursing homes. These changes could be stressful, so the meditative results of mindfulness can be beneficial for them. Mindfulness meditation for the elderly includes yoga or other practices that show participants how to explore their emotions and thoughts. According to practitioners, meditation aids seniors in staying connected to the globe.

Stabilizes the Memory

Meditation also aids in slowing down memory loss. According to the Harvard Gazette, meditating for about 30 minutes daily can increase the gray matter in the hippocampus. And this part of the brain plays a major role in learning and memory.

Merging comfort and ease with your meditation practice will yield even more positive results. If you are finding it harder to relax and focus your mind during meditations, you can try getting a healthcare professional or therapist to help with the process, or getting into an assisted living community like LongHouse where you can meditate in groups.