As we cope with the current COVID-19 pandemic, it’s not unusual to feel some anxiety. This is especially true for seniors, who may feel the sting of social isolation more than younger individuals.

There are, however, some good tools that can be used to stave off anxiety. Meditation is one of the best tools out there.

Today we’re going to talk about meditation and why we recommend it for managing anxiety in seniors in our Red Deer senior living environment.

What is Meditation?

Meditation is hard to describe, and there are several different types. Basically, meditation is a learned method of focusing one’s attention and calming the mind and the body. The type of meditation that we recommend learning is called Mindfulness Meditation.

This type of meditation is particularly easy to learn, it’s free, and it has many significant benefits including relieving anxiety.

Mindfulness Meditation can be practiced anywhere: in bed, on the couch, or on a park bench. And one can do it any time of the day or night.

Benefits of Meditation

There are many benefits of meditation, and we’ll list just a few of them here.

1. It quiets the mind. Meditation has been shown through peer-reviewed research to reduce both depression and anxiety.

2. It’s good for the brain. Meditation actually preserves the aging brain. That’s good news for every part of the brain.

3. It improves sleep patterns, reduces pain, and it just makes you feel better.

4. It lowers heart rate and blood pressure and stress response.

How to Learn Mindfulness Meditation

There are many ways to learn Mindfulness Meditation. You can watch some YouTube videos on how to learn it. Read articles or books on the subject. Attend a class (online). There are even apps for a smartphone that will help you learn it.

Help your senior friends and relatives learn mindfulness meditation, which will stave off or help to control any anxiety about COVID-19. Just a few minutes per day can make a big difference in the life of a senior that you care about in a senior living environment.

The Hamlets at Red Deer, located in Red Deer, Alberta, is at the forefront in the provision of services for those suffering from dementia in an assisted-living environment. The Hamlets at Red Deer has values based on tenets of Christianity and is committed to helping residents attain the highest physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.