Regardless of age, anyone can practice yoga and meditation and enjoy the benefits that they bring along. Yoga and meditation can be practiced almost anytime and anywhere. In addition, the benefits of yoga and meditation are not limited to physical fitness, but they also help to improve the mental health of older adults. As such, yoga and meditation can help to relieve the mental and physical limitations that come with age, making them an ideal activity for older adults to do. Here are some health benefits of yoga and meditation:
Improving Balance Abilities
As we age, our musculoskeletal function also ages. As such, older adults have a lesser ability to issue motor commands, making them more prone to losing balance and falling over. This serves as a huge cause of concern, especially because older adults tend to have more brittle bones. As compared to teenagers and young adults, older adults that fall are known to be more likely to sustain serious injuries such as a broken wrist or hip.
When practicing yoga, one would regularly practice poses that require a focus on balance and stability. Not only does this strengthen the major muscles in the body, but it also engages muscles close to the core that are responsible for maintaining balance. As such, yoga is a great activity to combat the risk of falls in older adults. Even in the event of an unfortunate accident, practicing yoga would allow them to recover quicker due to their increased overall strength and balancing abilities.
Increasing Mindfulness
One of the greatest benefits that come with meditation is mindfulness, something that is imperative to keep older adults sharp and focused. Mindful people are less likely to be at risk of memory-related conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Mindfulness will help older adults develop a sense of purpose and belonging, which makes them less likely to develop loneliness or depression – common issues in the elderly. Practicing mindfulness will also empower them to maintain a positive outlook on life and discourage negative thinking.
Improving Memory Abilities
Memory decline is undeniably one of the most well-known and undesired side effects that come with aging. Based on several studies conducted on meditation and its effect on cognitive functions when it comes to aging, the journal Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience found that meditating has a positive effect on cognition, and even more so in the areas of memory, attention, cognitive flexibility, as well as verbal fluency.
Reducing Blood Pressure
As we age, we become more conscious of monitoring blood pressure levels as it can be a good indicator of the risk of developing certain diseases. Apart from eating nutritionally-balanced meals, yoga and meditation can also help to maintain blood pressure at optimal levels. Simple yoga and meditation will not only help to calm the mind and body but are also beneficial for lowering blood pressure levels.
If you are unsure of where to start practicing yoga and meditation, you may want to consider the Dimensions Health and Fitness program, which is directed at improving physical, mental, as well as spiritual health.
