Become More Mindful with a Cup of Tea

Mindfulness and meditation have become popular buzzwords over the last few years. While the practice of meditation has been documented as early as 1500 BC, the practice of mindfulness is relatively newer, having been developed by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn in the 1970s. The idea behind mindfulness and meditation is to empty one’s thoughts and to stay focused solely on the present moment. According to some practices, it can take a lifetime to enter a true meditative state, but the essence of mindfulness and meditation can be accomplished in just a few minutes each day.

Although practicing mindfulness is beneficial for all ages, there are benefits specific to seniors. Seniors who practice mindfulness foster a stronger connection between their immune system and brain, which enables their immune system to function more effectively. Mindfulness can help lower stress and blood pressure while helping to improve memory in older adults. Studies have even linked mindfulness to decreased feelings of loneliness in the senior population.

If you’re a senior who’s never practiced mindfulness or perhaps is overwhelmed when you hear the word “meditation,” know that the exercise is relatively simple. Mindfulness can be practiced at any time throughout your day and in as little as five to ten minutes. An easy way to practice mindfulness is to connect it with a routine activity, such as drinking a cup of tea. Follow the steps below to help you become more mindful with a cup of tea.

Observe the Kettle

Start your mindfulness practice by observing the tea kettle as your water heats up. Listen for the sound of the water heating or boiling. Observe the behavior of your kettle and stovetop. Wait and watch for steam to appear from the spout. Listen closely for the whistle of the kettle and notice when you first hear it. As you stand and wait, pay attention to your feet on the ground. Resist the urge to tidy up the kitchen or make a phone call.

Notice Your Brewing Routine

Choose your preferred tea and pay attention to each step in your brewing routine. Do you always select the same teacup? Why? How does the teacup feel before you pour hot water into it? Smell your tea bag before placing it inside your cup. Lift the kettle and slowly pour the hot water into your cup. Observe how the water changes color while your tea brews. Take a few deep breaths as you wait for your tea to finish brewing. Notice what the tea bag looks like as you take it out of your cup. If you add sugar or honey to your tea, observe how those ingredients change the look of your tea.

Pause

Before you take that first sip of tea, hold the teacup in your hands and pause. Close your eyes. Inhale the aroma. Feel the warmth of the cup in your hands. Let your nose and face feel the steam. Observe any thoughts, feelings, or memories this moment evokes for you. Hold those in your mind, take a deep breath, then blow them away. Bring your awareness back to this present moment.

Slowly Sip

After you’ve paused, take a slow sip of your tea. Before you swallow, hold the tea in your mouth for just a moment. Pay attention to the flavors of your tea. Is it bitter? Sweet? Too hot? Too cool? Familiar? New? Swallow and allow your body to feel the warm tea trickle down to your stomach. Think about why you swallowed the tea—was it an automatic action, or did you deliberately choose to swallow it? Observe how you feel after that first taste.

Stay Present

At this point, you may be tempted to give up and finish your crossword puzzle. Before you move on, identify your feelings. Are you annoyed? Are you bored? Are you in a hurry? Do you feel peaceful? Recognize that it’s normal for your mind to wander while practicing mindfulness. Each time you take a sip of tea, bring your focus back to the present moment. You’ll train your mind to stay more present and focused with time.

Visiting Angels Fort Worth is here to help seniors stay focused on the present moment and become more mindful with a cup of tea. We provide a comprehensive approach to senior home care that allows seniors to stay in the comfort of their own homes. Our compassionate caregivers can even guide you through a mindfulness exercise as you sip a cup of tea so that you can reap the benefits of mindfulness today. We take the stress out of caregiving by never asking you to deviate from your familiar routine or schedule. To find out what elderly care services we can provide for you, please get in touch with us by calling 817-877-1616.