Holidays can increase feelings of loneliness especially
for the elderly, and may pose additional risk factors for health problems such
as heart disease and Alzheimer’s. A new study published in the journal Brain, Behavior,
and Immunity, offers fresh evidence that mindfulness meditation reduces
negative thoughts about being alone in older adults and also improves their
physical health. The ancient practice dates back to the time of Buddha and
focuses on creating an attention awareness of the present moment. In the study,
researchers at Carnegie Mellon University, in Pennsylvania, recruited 40
healthy adults between the ages of 55 and 85 that were interested in learning
the technique. Subjects were assessed in the beginning and end of the study
using an established loneliness scale, and blood samples were collected. After
eight weeks of meditation training, participants reported decreased feelings of
loneliness, new blood samples revealed reduced pro-inflammatory gene expression.
Inflammation is thought to promote the development and progression of many
diseases, including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.
Mindfulness meditation training is a promising intervention for improving the
health in older adults. It’s important to train your mind.
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