WHAT IS MINDFUL MEDITATION?

Sometimes, it can be difficult to turn off the motor that is the brain. One of the most effective strategies to slow down rapidly forming thoughts is to practice mindful meditation.

What is mindful meditation? It is the mental training routine that teaches you how to slow down fast-moving thoughts. Mindful meditation also can help you lose negative thoughts, as well as calm down your body. At our assisted living facility in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, you can master mindful meditation to enhance the quality of your life

You can practice different types of mindful meditation techniques, but the core of the routine revolves around deep breathing and an awareness of both mind and body. You do not need to use any props or take time preparing to practice the technique. All you need to start is a comfortable location where you sit and a mind that is free of any judgment.

How Do I Practice Mindful Meditation?

Although mindful meditation is an easy concept to learn on your own, consider working with a teacher in an individual program to help you master the correct positions and breathing techniques. You first want to get comfortable by sitting in a chair or on the floor. Keep your head, neck, and back straight, but not overly stiff. Wear loose-fitting clothing to prevent any distractions from disrupting your session.

A timer with a soft alarm helps you focus on meditation and forget about any time constraints on your schedule. Start by completing short sessions such as five minutes long before increasing the time of each session by five-minute increments. Stay aware of your breathing patterns, especially the sensation of air moving in and out of your body. Once you master a consistent breathing pattern, pay attention to your thoughts by not ignoring or suppressing them.

If your thoughts start to overwhelm you, such as feeling negative thoughts like fear and anxiety, return to focusing on just breathing to cycle back to the start of mindful meditation.

What Are the Benefits of Mindful Meditation?

Practicing mindful meditation by following a regular schedule can help you reap several benefits for the mind and body. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) represents a standard approach to practicing mindful meditation. It helps decrease stress in healthy participants, as well as fends off the development of mental disorders like depression and acute anxiety. Mindful meditation is a proven technique to lower your heart rate, which reduces the likelihood of you developing the symptoms of heart disease. One study indicated that those who practice mindful meditation techniques performed better on tests measuring cardiovascular capacity.

Because mindful meditation is a technique that lowers stress, it also can improve sleep patterns by removing the disturbances that cause them. A study completed in 2019 showed participants significantly improved the quality of their sleep by practicing basic mindfulness meditation techniques. Research studies also have proven that mindfulness meditation techniques bolster a body’s resistance to illnesses and diseases. The studies concluded that participants in an eight-week mindfulness meditation course improved their immune function.

Enhance Your Mind and Body at MorningStar of Rio Rancho

Living at an assisted living facility in Rio Rancho, NM should help you learn how to take care of your mind and body. Mindfulness meditation is one of the most effective ways to achieve this goal. With two lifestyle options of assisted living and memory care, our residents thrive in an environment that focuses on enhancing both mind and body.

Find out more by scheduling a tour today.