Although extended life spans are a gift, aging can bring with it difficulties as well, such as anxiety, physical aches and pains, and changes in cognition. Modern medicine has tools to address these things, but medical interventions are often expensive and come with side effects. Fortunately, one effective method for coping with the physical and psychological difficulties of getting older (or of just living life) is actually quite ancient and simple and free -- mindfulness.
The library offers a couple of programs to help you bring mindfulness into your daily life:
- Qi Gong - First Tuesdays at 10:15
- Mindfulness and Meditation - every Friday at 10 a.m.
Research shows that focusing on your breathing and paying attention to the present moment -- two things you can do anywhere and at no cost -- can actually improve your overall physical and mental well being.
Older adults who engage in mindfulness techniques such as meditation and Qi Gong and gratefulness practice improve their cognitive function and general mood and reduce difficult emotional states like loneliness, depression, anxiety and stress. Mindfulness-based practices can even help with physical challenges such as sleep problems and pain management. Some research even shows that mindfulness might be good for your heart, improve your immune response, and slow cell aging.
So join us for one or both of the programs listed above and see what mindfulness can do for you!
Suppose you can't join us at a session but would still like to see what it is all about. In that case, you can check out our Mindfulness and Meditation playlist on YouTube.