Home / Health Insurance / Wellness Corner / Understanding the Link between Mindfulness & Ageing( EST READ TIME: 3 minutes )

Everything You Want to Know about Mindfulness & Aging

However you feel about growing older, by practicing Mindfulness it’s possible to experience it with a greater sense of ease. Mindfulness is closely related to healthy aging and it has becomes immensely popular in recent times. Read on to understand the connection between mindfulness and healthy aging.

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is the state of being aware or conscious about one’s surrounding. It is the ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not be overwhelmed with it. While practicing mindfulness, you must acknowledge and accept the thoughts, feelings and sensations that are flowing through you.

Goal of Mindfulness

The goal is to wake up to the inner workings of our mental, emotional & physical processes. Practicing mindfulness can be therapeutic as it centers and calms the mind, while relaxing the body.

Benefits of Mindfulness

Mindfulness has several benefits, both physically and emotionally. While some of the benefits are listed below, it will interest you to know that practicing mindfulness activates the brain’s prefrontal cortex, the part responsible for making an individual happy. It regulates moods and emotions, and helps reduce inflammation, a common ailment for the aged.

Some of the major benefits are:

• Improvement in focus

• Depression reduction

• Enhanced calmness

• Emotional well-being

• Stress reduction

• Improved quality of sleep

• Pain reduction

Mindfulness Techniques

1. Mindful Meditation:

This is a particular type of meditation where you learn to practice mindfulness.

Steps to perform this:

1. Choose a regular time each day & a quiet place to practice mindful meditation

2. Set a timer – start with 5 minutes and ease your way up to 15-40minutes

3. Sit cross-legged on the floor

4. Sit up straight with hands in a comfortable position, relaxed shoulders, neck long, chin tilted slightly downward, and tongue resting on roof of mouth.

5. Close your eyes or let your gaze gently fall downward

6. Relax. Bring attention to your breath and feel it

7. Focus on your breath as you inhale and exhale, and let go off thoughts, feelings or distractions

8. Repeat step 6 and 7 until the timer goes off. Be thankful and acknowledge your practice with gratitude

2. Mindful Breathing:

Mindful breathing is a popular technique and it can be done anytime, anywhere as per your convenience. As one age’s, they get stressed easily but with mindful breathing you can immediately reduce this stress and prevent a panic or anxiety attack.

One way to practice mindful breathing is by belly breathing technique which can easily be done by an elderly person.

Steps to perform this:

1. Assume a comfortable position like sitting or lying on a bed.

2. Place one hand on the chest and the other on the stomach.

3. Now, inhale deeply and hold your breath for four seconds and then slowly exhale it.

4. Repeat.

3. Body Scan:

This is a type of body awareness technique in which one must focus on the sensations in their entire body. Steps to perform this:

1. Lay on your back.

2. Place your arms at your sides and palms facing upward.

3. Focus only on your body and your breathing.

4. Mind Mapping:

Mindfulness mind mapping is an exercise that can significantly reduce mental stress and eliminate all negative emotions and thoughts. In this technique, you try to recognize and increase awareness of each thought in your mind.

5. Walking:

Mindful walking helps one concentrate on movements. Unnecessary worldly thoughts must be avoided doing this.

Steps to perform mindful walking:

1. Find a peaceful place to walk freely

2. Focus on the natural surroundings while walking

3. Notice and concentrate on every detail in nature

4. Do not let the mind wander off

Conclusion

There is a close connection between mindfulness and healthy aging. Meditation is one of the many ways to practice mindfulness. Both these practices assist old and ages citizens in maintaining their physical and mental health, and slowing down the deterioration that accompanies old age. Age gracefully and healthily by following mindfulness and meditation exercises and activities.

Disclaimer: This blog provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, website or in any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Kindly contact your Doctor before starting a new medicine or health regime.

Know These 8 Ways to Maintain Healthy Aging

Learn Concept of Healthy Aging with Ayurveda

Importance of Old Age Diet for Aging People

Published on July 27, 2022