Exercise - Fitness, Mental Health Research / 10.07.2024

Meditation, an ancient practice, has become more popular in recent years, largely due to its myriad health benefits. For seniors, meditation holds significant value. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it provides a natural method to manage stress, enhance mental clarity, and improve overall well-being. The National Institute on Aging emphasizes that as we age, maintaining both physical and mental health becomes increasingly crucial. Meditation serves as a simple yet effective tool to support these goals. WebMD reports that meditation can help seniors sleep better. This practice can also help deal with symptoms associated with depression. If you're a senior looking to get started with meditation, here are a few expert tips to help you out.

Understanding the Benefits of Meditation

meditation-pexels-photo-4498219.webp Meditation, as explained by Mayo Clinic, has been shown to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve sleep quality. For seniors, these benefits are particularly significant as they can help manage chronic conditions and promote a sense of calm and relaxation. Regular meditation practice can also enhance focus and cognitive function, which can be beneficial in maintaining mental sharpness as one ages. Furthermore, meditation promotes inner peace and enhances emotional health, thereby contributing to an improved overall quality of life. (more…)
Aging, Author Interviews, Mental Health Research / 08.04.2020

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Leeann Mahlo Registered Psychologist PhD (Clinical Psychology) Candidate College of Education, Psychology and Social Work Flinders University MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Mindfulness can be instrumental in reducing stress and promoting positive psychological outcomes. However, few studies have considered the positive effects of mindfulness on psychological functioning from a lifespan perspective. Our research aimed to examine the role of age in the relationships between specific aspects of mindfulness and psychological flexibility and well-being. (more…)
Author Interviews, Heart Disease, Race/Ethnic Diversity / 07.01.2020

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Robert H. Schneider, MD, FACC Director, Institute for Natural Medicine and Prevention Dean, College of Integrative Medicine Maharishi University of Management Fairfield, Iowa 52556 MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Abnormal enlargement of heart, known as left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). It doubles the risk for heart attacks, heart failure, arrhythmias, stroke, and mortality. African Americans have twice the rate of LVH compared to whites. This may partly explain the disproportionally high CVD death rates in blacks. Psychosocial stress contributes the development of LVH and CVD. African Americans are exposed to excess psychosocial stress imposed by socioeconomic disparities and racism. However, there is little known about the potential role of stress reduction in the prevention of LVH in the general population or African Americans in particular. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess if stress reduction with Transcendental Meditation could prevent left ventricular hypertrophy in African Americans and thereby help to prevent subsequent heart disease. (more…)
Author Interviews, Pain Research / 02.03.2015

Prof. Dr. med. Andreas Michalsen Stiftungsprofessur für klinische Naturheilkunde Institut für Sozialmedizin, Epidemiologie und Gesundheitsökonomie Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin Immanuel Krankenhaus BerlinMedicalResearch.com Interview with: Prof. Dr. med. Andreas Michalsen Stiftungsprofessur für klinische Naturheilkunde Institut für Sozialmedizin, Epidemiologie und Gesundheitsökonomie Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin Immanuel Krankenhaus Berlin Medical Research: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: Chronic neck and back pain is an increasing health care problem in Europe and the U.S. Chronic neck pain is associated with distress and there is a need to evaluate methods of stress reduction in the management of chronic neck pain. The main findings of this trial were, that an 8-week meditation program teaching a traditional meditation technique, Jyoti meditation, leads to significant pain relief and reduced pain-related bothersomeness. (more…)