10 Health Benefits of Meditation for Seniors

Meditation is the process of cultivating awareness and enjoying neutrality in the moment. The benefits of meditation have been well spoken about throughout the ages. Experts believe that meditation offers older adults even more benefits in terms of mental, physical, and emotional health.

Here are ten ways older adults can improve their overall health and emotional wellbeing with meditation.

1. Meditation and Alzheimer's Disease

A UCLA study discovered that a 12-week course of meditation and yoga might help diminish the cognitive challenges that a senior may face preceding Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Meditation was termed to be even more effective in improving visual-spatial memory skills. Meditation is also known to boost mood and balance anxiety levels.

2. Boost Immunity

According to research from the National Academy of Sciences, there is evidence that meditation can help develop the immune system.

Healing meditations and visualizations tend to reduce harmful toxins in the body and result in improved immune function. A few days of meditation can increase activity in the prefrontal cortex and result in the robust activation of the immune system. It also helps treat inflammatory disorders and stimulate brain-function regions related to immunity.

3. Enhance Mood

Depression and loneliness may easily loom over older people. Meditation helps to connect the body, mind and spirit. Various studies have found that meditation and prayer can help older adults fight the symptoms of the mental disorders often associated with natural changes that occur with age.

4. More Focused Mind

It is well-documented that meditation improves mental awareness and can help improve the attention span and increase focus and concentration.

5. Pain Reliever

According to a study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, chronic pain affects 20.4% of people. Chronic pain worsens with age and is more common in people 65 and older.

The physical sensation of pain is strongly associated with the brain. Mindful meditation is a great pain management method because it helps you focus on your breath and stimulates blood flow.

6. Improve Overall Wellbeing

Slow, regulated movements during meditation, especially yoga poses, can improve balance and movement, which can help prevent falls and injury in older adults.

7. Help Fight Insomnia

Sleep problems are often caused by stress, poor diet, age, or chronic illnesses. Meditating at night can reduce tension in your body and create a calm state of mind, and you are less likely to suffer from lack of sleep and burnout.

8. Boost Memory

Memory loss is quite common in the elderly and can lead to dependency on others. Meditation can help seniors remember things better because it stimulates blood flow to parts of the brain important for maintaining attention and brain functioning.

9. Improve Your Aura

Meditation is beneficial for improving your overall quality of life and attracting positive energies. Meditation and spiritual prayer can energize your mind, body, and soul. People who meditate regularly are calmer, more self-aware, and more tolerant of their surroundings.

10. Promote Giving Up On Addictions

Meditation promotes the development of self-control and helps eliminate addiction. Studies have shown that meditation can help people strengthen their willpower, control their emotions and impulses, and behave responsibly.

Meditation requires taking time for yourself. Your only task for 10 or 15 minutes daily is to check in with yourself and how you feel. It can improve mood, help the elderly deal with their loneliness, and give them a greater sense of contentment and fulfillment. It is also an easy skill to master if done regularly. A mindfulness-guided meditation just takes a couple of minutes to complete and can strongly impact the brain and body in the long run.