As we age, we often experience increased levels of anxiety and depression. In the meantime, there are many ways to cope with these challenging conditions.
Meditation is one of the best things you can offer your patients. The fact is that meditation does not require physical activity and is available to all seniors, without exception.
Types of Meditation
There are two main types of meditation, including:
- Meditation focusing attention
- Observation meditation
Focusing meditation allows patients to focus their attention on one object, thought, or sound. Most often, this type of meditation focuses on soothing sounds or breathing. Focusing like this can clear your mind off distractions by feeling inner relaxation.
Observation meditation is a mirror image of meditation that involves focusing attention. This type of meditation should motivate a patient to become open to everything in the environment, follow in the course of one’s thoughts, and not focus on something specific.
Practice this type of meditation with your patients so that they can become aware of their thoughts, feelings, and inner impulses.
How To Learn To Meditate With A Patient: 7 Steps For Beginners
One of the main advantages of meditation is that it is available even to those people who had no previous experience and did not practice it before. Meditation is an effective tool that you can use daily.
More importantly, most meditation techniques can be learned really quickly. Let’s take a look at seven essential steps to get you and your patients started meditating right away.
Choose Suitable Time
You don’t have to start meditating at any particular time. The right time is the right time for you based on your daily routine and home care responsibilities.
Most caregivers choose the morning as the best time to meditate. However, you are free to select the time of your meditation at your discretion.
Choose a Comfortable Place
You can sit on a chair or use a pillow on the floor. If you and your patient have chosen chairs, sit forward and place your feet on the floor. It is best if you meditate in a quiet and serene place. Try not to be distracted by background noises, close your eyes and relax.
Choose a Comfortable Meditation Pose
If you decide to sit on the floor, cross your legs in front of you and keep your knees below the hips. Keep in mind that you need to position yourself so that you sit up straight. Fixing a straight back is not at all necessary. The main thing is that you feel comfortable in this position.
How to Focus Attention
Every beginner needs to find an individual object to focus their attention on. If you simply close your eyes, it can quickly lead to sleep – end of the story.
Some experts recommend that you close your eyes and imagine a blank sheet of paper or a big field. Others advise visualizing an illusory blank wall, candle flame, or skyline.
Focus On Breathing
After you have visualized an imaginary object, you need to focus on slowly inhaling and exhaling. Try to feel your breath.
Imagine how air enters your body and gradually oxygenates your body. Continue breathing slowly and evenly, focusing on nothing other than the breath.
Control Your Mind
Sometimes people find that thoughts start to wander during meditation. Moreover, while trying to relax, individuals begin to think about precisely those things that cause the most anxiety. Others think about a health problem and a list of tasks that need to be completed.
In any case, try to discipline yourself and drive away these thoughts by focusing on a relaxing breathing technique.
Practice Achieving Awareness
As the number of meditation increases, you will find it easier to be aware of your natural environment during these periods. At such moments, you can quickly get rid of obsessive thoughts that clutter your mind from things that cause anxiety.
The systematic practice of meditation allows you to better notice the details of the world around you and not focus solely on health problems.
Remember, genuine home care is not just about preparing food or helping with household tasks. Caring for a patient’s mental health is also one of the most critical responsibilities of caregivers.
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