Today, people spend their time and energy improving their overall well-being. Along with going to the doctor for health concerns, many individuals are turning to holistic approaches for stress relief. Seniors can benefit from relaxing, too. Meditation is a great way to work on reducing anxiety and becoming more calm. Here are some tips to get you started:
Pick a Locale
A significant part of meditation is where you choose to do it. Some people need complete silence to concentrate, while others prefer to be in a noisy environment. Don’t hesitate to try meditation in various places to see what works for you. Much meditation is thinking of another place, but you’ll still need to minimize distractions to benefit fully from this mindful practice.
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Get Comfortable
You can meditate for as little or as long as you like, but you’ll still need to feel comfortable. It’s easy to start thinking about how your back hurts because you’re sitting awkwardly in the chair or your feet aren’t touching the floor, interrupting your concentration. You don’t have to sit cross-legged with your hands on your knees. Most experts recommend sitting upright in a chair with a back to minimize bodily stressors. It’s OK to lie down, but you may drift off to sleep instead of meditating. If the point of your meditation practice is to help you get some rest, meditate right before bed.
Meditation guides can help you stay focused on your practice and lead you to calmness.
Follow a Guide
It can be beneficial to begin meditating with the help of a guide. You can attend meditation classes – perhaps your assisted living community offers them – or listen to a recording on YouTube. There are many specific versions, such as meditation for pain relief, reducing anxiety, or even assisting people who have Alzheimer’s disease. Check out your options before choosing one that suits you best. Consider the topics available as well as the length of the meditation. Most people have difficulty starting with meditations longer than five or 10 minutes, so keep that in mind.
Keep Practicing
Meditation is considered a practice because it takes more than one session to master it. Many people try meditating repeatedly before finding it helpful. It’s like trying to retrain your brain from thinking about your worries, which takes time. Don’t give up meditation after a few tries. Instead, you might find dedicating a specific amount of time and part of the day to meditation is helpful. The more you do it, the better you will become at quieting the world and focusing on yourself. When you have trouble concentrating, pay attention to your breath. Many meditation guides will teach you to picture a place where you are calm and happy. This may be near a lake, stream, or a family member’s home. Use these visualization techniques to keep you engaged with your meditation practice.
