Mindfulness requires little practice and has numerous advantages for Baby Boomers. Continue reading to find out what it is and how you can try it for yourself.
What Exactly Is Mindfulness?
There are slightly different definitions of mindfulness, with it being both a meditation technique and a specific way of viewing the world and your life. It is based on aspects of Buddhism and is primarily focused on focusing on what you sense and feel at any given moment without overthinking.
The Advantages of Mindfulness
Increased Lifespan
A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that practicing mindfulness can help you live longer. Researchers were unable to determine how this occurs, but the numbers do not lie.
Alzheimer’s disease prevention
It may also be able to prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, which is exacerbated by anxiety and stress (and practicing mindfulness can reduce both of these and result in a more peaceful outlook on your life.)
Reduced Healthcare Costs
According to the aforementioned study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, practicing mindfulness can result in lower healthcare costs because seniors who practice it spend less time in the hospital and are hospitalized less frequently than those who do not.
Feeling Less Lonely
Finally, mindfulness can help you feel less isolated and more connected to others, including your friends, family, and the rest of the world. This is critical for your mental health, particularly for Boomers and seniors who often feel isolated from the rest of the world and go days without speaking to another person.
What is the Best Way to Practice Mindfulness?
Meditation is a good way to practice mindfulness. Meditation may appear unusual at first, and many people struggle to enter into the zone, but, like anything else, you should notice improvements over time.
Slowing down and taking the time to live in the now, as well as focusing on your senses to notice noises, scents, and sensations more than usual, are all ways to practice mindfulness.
Try to concentrate on your breathing not only when you’re meditating, but also when you’re going about your day, especially if you’re feeling stressed.
Conclusions
You’ll rapidly see the benefits of mindfulness once you get the hang of it. There’s plenty of evidence suggesting it’s beneficial to Boomers and older elders, so it’s definitely worth a go.
A Quick Recap
- Mindfulness is a meditation technique as well as a way of viewing the world and your own life.
- It has been shown in research that doing it might lead to you having a happier and healthier life.
- Reduced worry and stress, feeling less lonely, and longer longevity are just a few of the advantages.
- Aside from meditation, you can practice it by focusing on the present now and using your senses to notice things you might otherwise overlook.