Today, I’m welcoming back another great friend of T.D.A.C. Erica Silva is a Freelance writer by day, and sports fan by night. She writes about beauty and health-related issues (but not at the same time). She lives simply, gives generously, watches football and a technology lover. Follow her on Twitter @ericadsilva1
Erica has been a frequent visitor and you may remember her posts: 6 Early Signs Of Dementia In Elderly Women, Lewy body dementia – Symptoms and Diagnosis, or Mom with dementia – What to gift them on Mother’s Day?
Living a life with memory disorder diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s can be difficult to cope with. Alarmingly, there are many people in the world who at some point in time, but usually in the later stages of their lives, develop this disease. Currently, more than 5 million Americans are living with some kind of memory disorder and 1 in 3 senior patients die with Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia.
Dementia is a serious disorder that strikes older adults more commonly, and if timely treatment is ignored or the disease does not get diagnosed in its early stages, it can reduce a person’s ability to practice life’s daily routine. Diseases related to memory loss slowly and gradually affect a person’s ability to recognize important life events, loved ones, and familiar sights and sounds. Patients also have challenges associating objects with meaning.
While no permanent cure has yet been discovered for memory loss and other related symptoms, there are certain medicines that help control early symptoms, and therefore are able to delay the effects of dementia.
More recently, a breakthrough research concluded that yoga and meditation may also be helpful in preventing and improving the quality of life for both patients and their caregivers. This one British study suggests that yoga and meditation may help patients caregivers socialize more and feel better in general.
Another study in which yoga and meditation were included as part of a complex 36-point therapeutic program suggests that memory loss may even be reversed with regular practice.
Here are some ways by which yoga and meditation help improve your memory and health.
Yoga and meditation improve memory
Regular yoga practice and meditation can prove to be beneficial in preventing cognitive decline and memory loss. In the 7 Amazing Brain Benefits of Meditation, the writer highlights that the patients with least symptoms of memory disorder, who practiced mindful meditation showed satisfactory results than those who didn’t. The researchers also compared meditators with non-meditators and found greater neural connectivity in their ’default mode network’ – an area of the brain which is involved in activities like daydreaming and thinking about the past and the future.
Strengthens the brain
Through various studies, researchers have found that yoga and meditation help patients feel less isolated and lonely. These are the two feelings which can lead to an increased risk of developing memory-related diseases. Regular practice of yoga and meditation also reduce stress hormones which are known to increase the risk of developing dementia. It also helps patients feel calmer and protect the brain by increasing protective tissues.
Boosts immunity
Bhastrika Pranayama is a famous breathing exercise that helps in increasing immune power. This technique improves blood circulation and concentration, and relaxes the mind and body. It is also helpful in relieving stress, hypertension, and depression.
Reduces stress
Yoga is also highly recommended for caregivers who spend a lot of time taking care of patients with dementia. Continuously dealing with mood swings, lack of understanding and a number of other challenges can risk depleting caregivers. It holds even more, truth if the caregiver is a loved one. This is one reason why yoga is almost necessary for caregivers so they can care better. Results will show with only a few minutes of yoga and meditation every day.
Stabilizes the mood
People with dementia or other memory disorders normally experience emotional distress, mental turmoil and are in a perpetual state of confusion. Stress, anxiety and mood swings can have a negative impact on their overall health. Regular yoga and meditation are known to lower stress levels, control depression, fatigue and improve overall well-being. Various studies have also hinted that yoga may improve anyone’s mood if practiced on a regular basis.
Liberates the soul
Patients with memory loss or dementia have too many things going on in their minds. They cannot recognize anything that was once familiar, and at the final stages of the disease, most patients become silent. If caregivers help patients practice a few minutes of yoga and meditation every day, there will be a visible difference in the way patients deal with their disease. Whether they are feeling glum or dejected, or feeling at ease and hopeful can have a huge difference on the prognosis.
Conclusion
It has been observed that yoga and meditation are just as effective as brain games and crosswords for memory improvement. Incorporating yoga practice in your daily routine has many positive effects on the mind, body, and soul. If you or any of your loved ones are trying to improve their memory or offset the risk of developing memory loss or dementia, a regular practice of yoga and meditation could be a simple, safe and least expensive solution to improving your brain fitness. An even better way may be to take a yoga retreat with a loved one to fully immerse yourself in the benefits of yoga and meditation.
My father, who had Lewy body, practiced meditation for a few years prior to his death. He took it up as a way to deal with his stress and depression. After reading this, I do wish I’d talked with him more about whether he felt it helped.
I know there are so many unanswered questions after someone passes on.
I agree that any period of calm and introspection can be helpful not only to Alzheimer’s patients, but to us all.
Karen @BakingInATornado recently posted…Funny Friday: Mud Pies and Kissing Booths
You’re so right Karen!
It seems logical that as someone’s mental capacities diminish, engaging in yoga and meditation can help. But at the same time, the challenge must be so great – to be able to focus and relax. Very eye-opening.
Mithra Ballesteros recently posted…A Dinner Party with Strangers from the Internet
I have recently started yoga myself and I love it and meditating.
Hoping to attend a meditation class tomorrow with Maureen. I’ll go by myself for a short while if I have to and bring back good news!
That’s a great idea Paul!
Funny…my mom doesn’t believe in yoga or meditation, but it’s one of my favorite activities. I can totally see it being an important of keeping your mind active.
I think it must be something with the older generation. Unless it’s prescribed by a Dr. they don’t seem to see much benefit from it.
Yoga – besides sleeping and drinking bubbly my favourite activity of all. When I go a few days without my set of postures, the whole family gets to feel it 😉 I even managed to get my mum involved at some point and she said it was very relaxing. xx Abby
Abby@midlifecrisisnut.com recently posted…11 Things I’ve Learned at 41
Me too! and in that order!
I didn’t realize yoga and meditation had so much benefits for those with dementia. This is very helpful, thank you for sharing!
Ryan recently posted…Five Summer Safety Tips for Seniors
I didn’t know that. Yoga is so magical. even dementia can be prevented.
independent living recently posted…Fulton Place Respite Centre offers families much-needed relief
Yoga gets your blood flowing. More specifically, the relaxation exercises you learn in yoga can help your circulation, especially in your hands and feet. Yoga also gets more oxygen to your cells, which function better as a result. Twisting poses are thought to wring out venous blood from internal organs and allow oxygenated blood to flow in once the twist is released.
Beautiful. I just wrote about my first sound bath experience. You can read it here: https://awakeningvisions.com/sound-bath/
Jalai Lama recently posted…Sound Bath Healing And The Beauty of Vibration (Bonus 432hz Meditation)
Great post, my friend was suffering from dementia , and he started doing the yoga, and the things that he achieved by doing yoga is just unexplainable. Not only he get better from dementia but also his varicose vein problems are getting way.
Adrian Willson recently posted…Can Spider Veins Go Away? Important Vein Treatment Options to Consider
I concur that any time of quiet and thoughtfulness can be useful not exclusively to Alzheimer’s patients, yet to all of us.
Fascinating. Getting rid of some stress and breathing, I can totally see it!
Haralee recently posted…The Curious Case of Identity
Yoga is a great way to get physically and mentally fit and helping delay and avoid dementia is a great affect that is little known. I know keeping phycically fit helps my mind but I need to try meditation too.
I need to get back into both yoga and meditation. I see how beneficial practicing both can be with patients who are suffering from memory loss as they require concentration and centring.
This is a really interesting read, I wouldn’t have thought about how this kind of metal and physical activity could help someone with dementia. It is wonderful that it can and does.
Sarah Bailey recently posted…Find the Perfect Gift with Gifts Made Personal
This is so interesting to me. My granny had dementia and Alzheimers. I wish I had known this then. I am a huge yogi now. I can see how it could have benefited her.
Overall I think there are benefits to be had for anyone that does yoga, but it sounds like this could be particularly helpful for dementia patients. Thanks for sharing this with us.
I’ve tried to get into yoga before, but thought it was too slow of a process to really enjoy it. However, I’m getting older now and find it harder to keep up with cardio and aerobic exercises, it may be time to try it again, especially knowing these benefits now!
Theresa recently posted…Blarney Gardens
I am always hearing about the benefits of yoga so this comes as no surprise. It is nice to know that this is something that may help so many people, my grandmother would have loved this when she was struggling with dementia but she has passed away now. I would love to see more people benefiting from this.
My husband’s grandfather is suffering from dementia. I wish that we could get him to practice meditation.
This makes a lot of sense to me, I need to start practicing yoga now.
What a wonderful post. I think this is great for anyone as well. Yoga and meditation are so wonderful for the mind and body. I need to get more in to this myself too.
Yoga always leaves me feeling refreshed and energised.
I’ve never known that Yoga has all these benefits! Thanks for sharing it!
I am all about learning what to do for my mother in law. She is deep into dementia, but we know that she can tell the difference between her favorite foods and music.
I really enjoyed this post. I have to incorporate more yoga and meditation in my lifestyle more.
Tasheena recently posted…Our Summer Bucket List
Yoga and mediation has lot of healing powers that is why it is done in ancient India. I didn’t now it helps dementia patients. that is really wonderful.
Wow, I didn’t know this! Thanks for the great read and this info!