Meditation Benefits Seniors

Among the reasons people have a mental decline as they age is the reduction of gray matter in the brain

. According to a recent study, meditation helps to stop or slow the decrease in gray matter. This, in turn, lessens the symptoms of old age.

Pain

Gray matter helps to control the human body's motor skills and also its perception of pain. The thicker the layer of gray matter in the brain, the less likely someone is to feel pain. By taking the time to meditate each day, seniors can effectively lower their pain symptoms and boost their motor skills. One study showed that seniors meditating three days in a row for a minimum of 20 minutes per day had a higher tolerance for pain.

Activities

Learning how to meditate can be an unusual experience for someone who has never tried it. They need to be taught how to do it before they can reap the benefits. This means of mental and physical rejuvenation can be the subject of recreational classes or a program topic for discussion at club meetings and get-togethers for seniors. It helps them stay active and improve their quality of life.

Home Care

For seniors that receive home elder care, meditation can be a part of their daily routine. Some at home health care providers provide more than medical treatment. They treat the body, mind, spirit. Since meditation fits in with that philosophy, these seniors can learn and practice meditation daily. This will likely help them to feel better in the long run. Not only will they have a higher tolerance for pain, but they will be more mentally active. Other ways they can be more mentally active include playing board games and cards, and reading or being read to aloud by their in home elder care provider.

Yoga

A recent study by the Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation found that seniors who participate in 12 minutes of daily Yoga exercises can improve memory and thinking skills. Yoga involves meditation and relaxation. It improves mental acuity, which can help seniors to maintain their independence as much as possible. They may need extra physical care or assistance with things like shopping, transportation, pet care or light cooking, but can in general have a better quality of life.

by: Christine Harrell

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