Mindfulness for Seniors

What is mindfulness?

Mindfulness is paying close attention to what is happening right now, in this moment, without judging it or trying to change it. It is being the objective observer. That is the simple premise and practice. There is no belief system involved, no group to join, and nothing you have to accept on faith.

It is a skill that you can engage in and learn, which means it improves with practice. The more you practice the more effective it becomes. Five minutes a day will do more for you than an hour on a Sunday.

Why mindfulness is more important as we age?

The situations we deal with in our 60s, 70s, 80s, and beyond are often different than the ones we dealt with earlier in life. How do I quiet my mind that cannot seem to relax at three in the morning? How do I live with discomfort and pain that seems to occur as my body ages? How do I experience peace and feel secure when so much around me is changing, and how do I avoid the accidents that could debilitate me?

Mindfulness has a great deal to offer in answer to those questions. But it needs is to be taught in a way that fits the life you are living. Every exercise and practice on this site can be done without any special equipment, during any activity and without any particular belief system. The mindfulness exercises and lifestyles presented on this site are deceptively simple but very powerful.

Some of the benefits of mindfulness

Research on mindfulness in older adults consistently points to better sleep, less anxiety, balanced moods, and improved attention and cognition. Practices that involve movement, such as mindful walking, also appear to help with balance and accident avoidance, which is essential as we age.

Are there special physical positions for doing mindfulness?

No, mindfulness can be done during any activity, in any position and for any duration of time. Mindfulness is a way of experiencing life, a viewpoint. It can be done sitting, walking, standing, lying down or exercising. Mindfulness can be applied during driving, doing any sort of task, writing, creating, watching a film, or any other activity. 

Where and when to begin

If you have a few minutes right now, start with the written meditations. Each one is written out and easily practiced and the first one takes only thirty seconds.

If you would rather fit mindfulness into what you already do, the everyday exercises can be done while washing dishes, sitting in the car, taking a short walk, or waiting in an office. 

If you find it easier to watch and listen than to read, there are videos to follow along with. If you would rather be talked through it by a voice, there are three guided audio recordings to download and keep.

If you have questions first — whether you are too old, whether it will help your pain, what to do when you keep falling asleep — they are answered on the questions and answers page.

And if you are here for a parent, friend, or are a caregiver or healthcare provider begin with mindfulness for caregivers and family, which covers how to look after yourself as well as them.

Who is teaching this?

My name is Jon Shore. I have been a practicing psychotherapist since 1978 — 48 years — with a post-graduate degree in psychology and a residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital, followed by many years of clinical work in hospitals, clinics, and private practice. I have practiced and taught meditation for over 50 years, and I still see clients privately by video conferencing from wherever they are in the world.

Everything written here is based on real experiences with people, not theory. You can read more about my background, or simply write to me with a question. I answer every message as soon as possible.