According to a study in JAMA Internal Medicine, older adults who practiced mindfulness meditation slept better and felt more refreshed. If you're looking for a natural way to get a better night's sleep, consider mindfulness meditation for sleep and anxiety. Interested in finding out about using these meditation techniques to get a better night's sleep?
Read on to learn more about senior stress relief in Broken Arrow, OK.
Ever find yourself lying awake, staring at the ceiling? Maybe you're worried you said the wrong thing in a recent conversation, or perhaps you're worrying about one of the many other things in life outside your control.
As a senior, you're not alone. For seniors, nighttime is often when their internal voice gets loudest. At night, difficult emotions like loneliness, fear, and anxiety seem to exert a much greater influence, making sleep support in aging essential.
These late-night hours can feel long and lonely, especially when sleep won't come easily. Many seniors lie in bed for hours, but rest just never comes.
Distracting thoughts spin around their minds. Some of these concerns are practical things, like tomorrow's to-do list, but other thoughts are vague and unsettling.
When your body is tired, but your mind just won't quiet down, you face an exhausting nightly struggle. Such a lack of rest causes more than just fatigue. Chronic lack of sleep in older adults often results in both mental and physical health problems.
According to the National Institute on Aging, lack of sleep in older adults may have the following effects:
As you can see, finding effective, sustainable ways to manage sleep and anxiety is essential, especially later in life.
You might associate mindfulness with chanting and sitting cross-legged in a remote monastery, but in reality, this beneficial practice is open to everyone.
It all starts with paying attention to your breathing. The goal isn't to get rid of your thoughts; instead, you focus on letting them float by without allowing yourself to be overwhelmed with emotion.
In fact, according to a recent study in JAMA Internal Medicine, seniors who practice mindful meditation techniques report decreased anxiety coupled with deeper and more restful sleep. So, how can seniors learn the fundamentals of this useful practice?
To get started with mindfulness, consider the following steps:
Meditation is often described as a release of tension. While sitting still and being totally inactive might feel strange initially, with a little practice, you'll be able to feel peace and serenity on command. By easing your stress using your own body, you ensure you don't need sleeping pills or other remedies to get rest and relaxation.
Of course, calling forth inner peace isn't always easy. The key is practice.
With regular practice, the benefits will increase. You may begin to notice less physical tension, a quieter mind, better emotional resilience throughout the day, and a renewed sense of control and calm.
Sleep comes more easily, and mornings feel clearer. For many, meditation becomes a reliable way to manage worry and improve rest. But it also offers many additional benefits.
And it's not just about sleeping. Some like to begin their day with a short meditation session, inviting a sense of calm tone before breakfast.
Others find it useful in the middle of the day when stress builds. Meditation is flexible, simple, and always available.
Even in retirement, life can feel jam-packed with responsibilities and distractions. Medical appointments, family updates, or changes in your routine can be a lot to process.
Meditation gives your mind a moment to pause and settle. Just a few quiet minutes each day can clear mental clutter and boost your inner sense of self.
These mental wellness practices support emotional balance and help your body and mind work together. Practiced in groups, meditation also creates moments of shared calm. This has special meaning for those looking for calming routines for older adults.
Meditation can even help those with serious sleep disorders. For example, according to Frontiers in Public Health, mindfulness-focused activities can help older adults experiencing symptoms of a sleep disorder.
At Morada Broken Arrow, residents don't have to figure it out alone. Our team offers senior-specific health and fitness programs that target not only physical health, but also emotional health.
There are many areas in our community where you can practice guided mindfulness. You can always start slowly, whether you're new to meditation or coming back to it after a break.
Restful nights and peaceful mornings are within reach. When you include mindfulness meditation for sleep and anxiety in your routine, you give yourself a steady foundation for better rest, clearer thinking, and a calmer day. The right can help you break this habit for good.
At Morada Broken Arrow, we believe wellness is built day by day, breath by breath. Get involved in a group where meditation is more than just a habit.
Contact us today and see for yourself how the daily routines, friendly connections, and mindfulness activities in our Broken Arrow, OK community help everyone feel rested, supported, and at home.