6 Stress-Relieving Yoga, Meditation, and Self-Care Tips for Older Adults and Caregivers

This weeks’ article is written by guest writer, Teresa Greenhill, who has an interest in mental health. She is the co-creator of MentalHealthForSeniors.com,  which is dedicated to providing seniors with information on physical and mental fitness so that they can be active and happy in their later years.

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Are you a caregiver looking for simple ways to relieve stress for you and your loved one? Reducing chronic tension is important for everyone, but it can be especially valuable for older adults and the people who care for them. Yoga and meditation are powerful tools to do just that. If you think you’re ready to try these two uplifting self-care practices, here’s how you can get started.

Practice Yoga Every Day from the Comfort of Your Home

Exercise is essential for stress-relief, and yoga can be a relaxing way to get the activity you need. To gain all the physical benefits of yoga and exercise, caregivers and older adults should practice often, but mobility can make it impossible to get to a class. So, make your workouts more accessible with a functional gym space in your home. Give some thought to how your space will be used the most, and install flooring and lighting that make it safer for anyone using it. Basic gym equipment will do, such as resistance bands, light weights, and a yoga mat, and you can find yoga workouts online if you need more guidance.

Use Meditation as a Regular Morning Pick-Me-Up

Just like yoga, meditation also requires consistency to achieve full tension-releasing benefits. While it may look like simply breathing and sitting still, effective mindful meditation entails regular practice just like any other exercise or habit. Once older adults and caregivers master quieting their minds, however, they are sure to experience less stress and anxiety in their lives. A mindful morning meditation helps you both get your day off to a positive start and will leave you feeling less stressed throughout the day. Do it as soon as you wake up to prevent worries from clouding the rest of your morning.

Combine Yoga and Meditation for Maximum Positivity

If you only have time for one practice, either yoga or meditation will provide many of the same stress-relieving benefits. For older adults, however, yoga can be useful for increasing flexibility and preventing falls, so that may be where older adults prefer to focus their energy. But for those who have the time and patience, practicing yoga and meditation together can be an ultimate escape from negativity and daily anxieties. One form of yoga, known as yoga nidra, does just that by bringing more relaxation to your yoga practice. You can add this relaxing sequence after your regular yoga practice or use it alone to calm down when the tension gets too high.

Add Complementary Self-Care to Heighten Your Practice

One of the major uses of yoga and meditation is to release anxiety and stress. Sometimes, however, you may feel too stressed to get on the mat in the first place. For caregivers, the risks of burnout are all too real. Providing care for an aging, sick, or injured loved one takes a heavy toll on your physical, mental, and spiritual health. You can minimize those effects and make your yoga and meditation routine stronger by treating yourself to some much-deserved self-care. Schedule an at-home spa session, complete with soothing rocks, nourishing skin treatments, and calming music, to melt your tensions away. Complement your health and wellness with wholesome warm teas and leave your session feeling revived and refreshed.

Seek Guidance to Make Your Practices Safe, and Worthwhile

Beginning a yoga or meditation practice is relatively safe to do on your own, but to maximize your experience, you may need some help. Understanding some meditation basics can get you started on the right track with your practice. Knowing that it will take time and work, and being patient with yourself, are key components of any meditation practice. Guided tutorials can help as well, so think about using online resources that make practicing easy. One tip many of these guides offers is to practice with others to encourage yourself to come to the mat every day. That’s what makes these self-care exercises so perfect for caregivers and older adults.

The most effective stress relief should require minimal effort. Yoga and meditation are simple to start, so think of adding these tension-taming habits for yourself and your loved one.

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