May 26, 2017

Meditation For Caregivers

The hectic life of a caregiver is demanding and stressful.

In fact, many family caregivers provide care full time without relief. One family caregiver said, “Caregiving takes so much time and energy and patience. I love my job, but sometimes I just feel overwhelmed… you can’t really be there for someone else unless you take care of yourself.” She went on to say she was learning ways to reduce stress.

While caregiver stress may not be eliminated, it can be managed.

Try these 3 simple tips throughout your day to relieve stress:

• Progressive relaxation: alternately tense and then relax your muscles starting from your neck to your lower back, upper arms to hands, abdomen and upper thighs to feet. Do this technique while taking slow, deep breaths, in through your nose and out through an open mouth.

• Visualization: Think of a place or time that makes you happy and go there in your mind.  If it’s the beach, visualize the waves rolling in and going out or recall a favorite pastime or funny story

• Centering: Find your center core right below your naval then take a slow deep breath. Breath in for the count of five seconds, hold the breath for five seconds and slowly exhale for five seconds. While doing this breathing technique, attempt to clear your mind and think only of your breathing. Repeat this five to eight times. Stop if you feel  light headed

Taking just a 10 minute walk can lower your stress level and provide the physical activity all of us need.

In Jonesboro, we provide FREE Family Caregiver Workshops for the general public.  Please contact us to register for our next workshop at https://uamscaregiving.org/jonesboro/contact-us/

Not in Jonesboro? UAMS Home Caregiver Training has locations in El Dorado, Ft. Smith, Hot Springs, Jonesboro, Little Rock, Pine Bluff, & Texarkana. For a list of locations and contact information, visit our website at uamscaregiving.org.