Simple Yet Effective Meditation Techniques for Seniors

 July 12, 2022

Regarding meditation, the elderly have a leg up on the younger generation. Elderly people have several advantages when it comes to meditation that younger people lack. This includes more time to commit to practice, a greater capacity to unwind and appreciate life without feeling rushed, and a greater understanding of the importance of setting priorities while meditating. Having a caregiver on hand to help with or join in with your senior can be a great advantage.

Presence, mindfulness, and non-judgment are the three main goals of meditation. Your first thought could be, “That’s all well and wonderful, but how exactly do I go about meditating?” How much work is it? The first step in meditation is usually to set aside some quiet time to concentrate on anything specific, such as your breathing, your body’s sensations, a guided meditation recording, or a word, phrase, or sound that you repeat to yourself mentally.

Resources aimed at novices to meditation provide advice that may be just as useful for seasoned practitioners. If you are an older adult just getting started with meditation, you may be relieved to know that you don’t have to sit cross-legged on the ground. Various postures are available for you to test until you find the one that works best for you.

A Few Tips for Senior Beginners

Here are some things to remember or teach your seniors when they begin this journey.

• Simple guided meditations that take the guesswork out of practice and that you can simply get acquainted with are recommended if your mind is prone to wandering or tuning out. Maintaining an upright sitting position might assist channel your mental energy in a productive direction.
  
• If you find that your body wears quickly, but your mind remains sharp, the “body scan” mindfulness method may help. This involves laying down or sitting in a comfortable chair and paying attention to a sequence of physical sensations. If your mind is active and engaged, you can be confident that it will stay awake even if your body is at ease. Until you’re comfortable with this technique, it’s recommended that you listen to a guided meditation.
  
• Seniors who have trouble sitting still for long periods of staying focused can consider attending shorter, more frequent sessions. Just being mindful for the duration of a few breaths or a few minutes is a great exercise. Then unwind your brain and body, and resume where you left off.
  
• Finding a word or sentence (prayer, motivational phrase, mantra, quote) that speaks to you and that you can return to is a sort of meditation that may alleviate tension and may also have spiritual or psychological effects.
  
• Yoga, tai chi, and other forms of exercise that mix physical movement and discipline with mental attention have the potential to improve not just the body but also the mind. Additionally, these practices aid senior people in keeping their mobility and agility as they age.

These are great tips that can help your senior loved one get started with meditation. Keep in mind that to successfully do meditation, it may take some time to start with. It won’t be easy, and it will take practice. The more a senior do it, the easier it will become and the more benefits they will receive.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring a Caregiver in Squirrel Hill, PA, please contact the caring staff at In-Home Quality Care today. Serving the Greater Pittsburgh Area since 1990! Call412-421-5202