Hi everyone, it's Mary Huhne, and welcome back to Everyday Mindfulness. Today, I want to talk about something that's been on my mind a lot lately—retirement communities. You know, I spend a fair bit of time in these spaces, and, well, if you've ever visited or lived in one, you probably know what I mean when I say that the main topics of conversation tend to revolve around doctors’ appointments, medications, and, honestly, a lot of aches and pains. I mean, it's understandable, right? Our bodies change, and health becomes a bigger part of our lives. But sometimes, it feels like that's all there is to talk about. And, if I'm being honest, it can get a little lonely. There's this undercurrent of isolation, even when people are surrounded by others. It's like, you're together, but not really connecting. And these feelings—loneliness, frustration, even a bit of resentment towards neighbors or staff—those are real. They matter. I don't want to gloss over that. I remember when I first became a 24/7 caregiver at age 75. Suddenly, my whole world was about managing appointments, tracking medications, and, well, just trying to keep up. I felt like my life had shrunk down to a series of checklists and waiting rooms. And, honestly, I started to feel invisible. Like, who was I outside of all this medical stuff? Where was the joy, the connection? It was tough. And I know I'm not alone in that experience. So, today, I want to explore how mindfulness might help us shift that dynamic, even just a little bit.So, let's talk about mindfulness. If you've been listening to this podcast, you know I define mindfulness as moment-to-moment awareness without judgment. It's not about emptying your mind or achieving some perfect state of calm—believe me, if that were the goal, I'd have given up a long time ago. It's about noticing what's happening, right now, and letting yourself be present with it. And the beautiful thing is, you can weave mindfulness into almost any part of your day, no matter your age or your circumstances. For elders in retirement communities, it doesn't have to be complicated. For example, before a meal, you might take a few slow, deep breaths—just noticing the air moving in and out. Or maybe you take a mindful walk in the garden, paying attention to the feel of the sun, the sound of birds, the colors of the flowers. Some communities even have group meditation sessions, where folks gather and just sit together in silence or with gentle guidance. Now, I know what some of you might be thinking—"Mary, that sounds nice, but it's not that easy." And you're right. There are challenges. Old habits die hard, and sometimes people feel self-conscious or worry that mindfulness is too "new age" or doesn't fit with their beliefs. That's where staff and spiritual ministries can really help. I've seen chaplains and activity directors introduce mindfulness as something that's good for everyone, not just a trend. In fact, if you look at the roots of most spiritual traditions, you'll find practices that are basically mindfulness—prayer, contemplation, even just sitting quietly. So, framing mindfulness as a classical tradition, something that's part of every denomination, can make it feel more accessible and acceptable. And, honestly, sometimes it just takes one or two people to give it a try before others get curious.Now, here's where things get interesting. When mindfulness becomes part of daily life, even in small ways, it can actually shift the whole atmosphere of a retirement community. Instead of every conversation starting with, "What did your doctor say?" or "How's your back today?" people begin to notice and talk about what's happening right now. Maybe it's the way the sunlight is coming through the window, or the taste of the soup at lunch, or just sharing a laugh about something silly. I remember this one resident—let's call her Eleanor—who started a morning mindfulness circle. It wasn't anything fancy. She just invited a few neighbors to sit with her for ten minutes each morning, breathing together and sharing what they noticed. Over time, more people joined in. And you know what? Friendships started to form. People who used to sit alone at meals began sitting together. There was less talk about ailments and more about, well, life. The loneliness started to lift, just a little. And, if I'm being honest, I've seen this in my own life, too. When I was deep in caregiving, I found that if I could pause—even for a minute—and really listen to the person I was caring for, or notice my own feelings without judgment, it changed everything. I became less reactive, more patient, and, honestly, more connected. It's not magic, and it doesn't fix everything, but it opens the door to real connection. And that's what we all want, isn't it? To feel seen, to feel heard, to know we're not alone. So, as we wrap up today, I just want to encourage you—whether you're living in a retirement community, working in one, or just visiting—to try a little mindfulness. See what shifts. And, as always, we'll keep exploring these ideas together in future episodes. Thanks for listening, and take good care of yourselves.

Episodes

Mindfulness in Retirement Living