Sleep

Linda Carroll TODAY contributor

7 hours ago

Meditation might be a key to treating sleep problems in adults.

Scott Quinn Photography / Getty Images

Mindful meditation sitting quietly while focusing on breathing and being "present" improves sleep quality in older adults better than other relaxation techniques, according to a study published Monday in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine.

Often people with sleep problems cant turn off the anxiety and tension from a stressful day, says study coauthor Michael Irwin, the Cousins Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles. Their overall arousal is high and mindfulness short-circuits that, Irwin says. It allows them to pull back from the stress.

"People are first taught to sit quietly and focus on their breathing and then to be present in the moment," says Irwin.

UCLA researchers randomly assigned a small group of 49 volunteers, aged 55 and older, who suffered from moderate sleep issues to receive training in mindfulness meditation or in improving basic sleep habits. The meditation didn't require a mantra.

At the end of the study, volunteers from the meditation group showed greater improvement in sleep quality compared to those who had learned other ways to improve sleep. Further, meditation seemed to improve sleep better than sleep medications, based on findings from previous research.

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Short-circuit stress: Mindful meditation may be key to better sleep

UI professor to offer mindfulness meditation classes

A University of Idaho faculty member is offering students the chance to escape from homework, class and other responsibilities for 25 minutes a week.

Jamie Derrick, assistant professor in the psychology department, recently began leading free mindfulness meditation sessions from 12-12:25 p.m. Wednesdays in room 012 of the Niccolls Building.

Genie Tran | Argonaut UI students and Moscow community members gather in the Niccolls building Wednesday to attend a meditation class taught by UI psychology professor Jamie Derrick.

Its to bring attention to your emotional state, Derrick said. What does it feel like in your body? Being aware of your thinking and being slightly distanced without getting too caught up in the emotions and thoughts helps with difficult and painful thoughts.

Derrick said mindfulness meditation is a practice where an individual can use their mind and body to enter a mode of consciousness and feel content. She said practicing mindfulness meditation can help in every aspect of life, including problem solving, increasing test scores, reducing distractibility and increasing overall mood. She also said it leads to a stronger immune system.

Derrick said there are several approaches to mindfulness meditation, and the sessions will vary from week to week. Derrick said she hopes everyone will at least give meditation a try.

UI student Carlie Beasley attended Wednesdays meditation class and said she will definitely return for another session.

It was really awesome, Beasley said. I didnt really want to come out of my little Zen moment. I feel good Ill come back for sure.

Genie Tran | Argonaut Jamie Derrick, professor at UI Department of Psychology and Communication, teaches a class about medication in order to help UI students relief stress.

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Meditate stress away UI professor to offer mindfulness meditation classes