“It’s also helpful to realize that this very body that we have, that’s sitting right here right now… with its aches and it pleasures… is exactly what we need to be fully human, fully awake, fully alive.” ~ Pema Chodron

Pause for a moment and breathe. Be present. Pay attention to your thoughts and feelings, relax your body. It might seem easy enough, but meditation—based on traditional Buddhist practices—requires you to be completely alone with your thoughts, and can actually take some time to “train your brain” to stop wandering. Once you’re able to focus on being present rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, there’s no denying the positive benefits. Mindful meditation can improve our:

• Sleep
• Memory
• Mood
• Stress levels
• Health

People who regularly practice mindfulness say they’re more happy, less anxious, and more spontaneous. Mindful meditation can also encourage connectedness, which can alleviate loneliness.

How does a person start meditating? Actually, you may have meditated without realizing it. Remember the last time you stared at a flame in a burning fire? Or even did a jigsaw puzzle? Your brain was likely focusing and relaxing. It’s different, though, when it’s an intentional daily act. Here’s how to get started:

• Find a quiet, peaceful room in your home, a space without clutter or distractions. Some people prefer to meditate in the morning; others before bed.

• Clear your mind, but acknowledge that thoughts will pop into your head. Let those thoughts float away.

• When you first start meditating, it might be helpful to listen to the Calm app, white noise, or lulling music.

• Make sure your shoulders and neck are relaxed. Breathe deeply in and out.

• Count the inhalations and exhalations. Or breathe in positive energies and let go of the negative. If thoughts creep in, keep focusing on your breathing. Start with just 2 minutes, then work your way up to 10-15.

Being mindful doesn’t mean you’re thinking about nothing. It means waking up out of autopilot and really paying attention to our thoughts and feelings, and allowing those feelings to happen. It means accepting that some negative emotions are part of life, and learning to balance negative feelings with positive ones (once we deal honestly with emotions, we can learn and grow—and experience life in a more productive way). It means fully deeply present in the moment, with the past and the future having no power. As Mother Teresa said, “Be happy in the moment, that’s enough. Each moment is all we need, not more.”

American Baptist Homes of the Midwest has senior living communities in Harlan, Iowa; Denver, Colorado; Omaha, Nebraska; Albert Lea, Minnesota; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Milwaukee; Wisconsin. Our mission is to create healthy Christian communities that empower older adults, families, and people with disabilities through providing choices for housing, services, and technology that enrich body, mind, and spirit.