Blog Layout

Meditation and Other Mindfulness Practices to Relieve Stress in Caregivers

Nov 02, 2023
Meditation and Other Mindfulness Practices to Relieve Stress in Caregivers

If you are a caregiver, you are probably familiar with stress. According to the Office on Woman’s Health, “Caregiver stress is due to the emotional and physical strain of caregiving. Caregivers report much higher levels of stress than people who are not caregivers. Many caregivers are providing help or are ‘on call’ almost all day.”


You may feel as if you are too busy to deal with the stress right now. You must drive your kids to soccer practice, make a living, make sure a healthy meal is prepared for your aging parent, and the list goes on. You simply have too much to do. You’ll work through the stress and worry about it later, right?


The Office on Woman’s Health reminds us, “You need to take care of yourself to be able to care for your loved one.” You could argue that not taking the time to care for yourself is actually selfish because if you don’t take time for yourself, you won’t have anything left to give to your aging parent.


The Effects of Stress

Chronic stress can harm you both mentally and physically. Mentally, stress can cause anxiety, sadness, irritability, aggression, memory, or concentration problems, and more. “Long-term ongoing stress can increase the risk of hypertension, heart attack, or stroke,” according to the American Psychological Association. “Repeated acute stress and persistent chronic stress may also contribute to inflammation in the circulatory system, particularly in the coronary arteries, and this is one pathway that is thought to tie stress to heart attack.”


If you notice any of the following symptoms of stress, you need to take time for yourself NOW:

  • Exhaustion
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Stomach issues
  • Headaches
  • Tense muscles
  • Anxious feelings
  • Panic attacks


One way to manage stress is through meditation and mindful practices, and fortunately, they don’t have to take a lot of your time. Just a few minutes a day could make all the difference.


What are Meditation and Mindful Practices?

Archaeologists date meditation back to ancient Egypt and China in 5,000 BCE, but it wasn’t until the 1960s that researchers began to study meditation’s medical benefits.


“The term ‘meditation’ refers to a variety of practices that focus on mind and body integration and are used to calm the mind and enhance overall well-being,” the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health explains. “Some types of meditation involve maintaining mental focus on a particular sensation, such as breathing, a sound, a visual image, or a mantra, which is a repeated word or phrase. Other forms of meditation include the practice of mindfulness, which involves maintaining attention or awareness on the present moment without making judgments... Meditation and mindfulness practices may have a variety of health benefits and may help people improve the quality of their lives.”


One-Minute Mindfulness Practice

So, put your phone down and try this super-simple one-minute meditation from Cleveland Clinic.

  1. Find a relatively quiet place where you won’t be disturbed
  2. Breathe in for five seconds
  3. Breathe out for five seconds
  4. Do it five more times


“If you can slow yourself down and take those extra breaths, you’ll move your stress response back down to a more manageable level, you’ll respond instead of react, and life will be calmer,” Life Change & Mindset Coach Sharon Ashton states, “I believe any activity can become a mindful practice when you connect your breath, pay attention, and stay present.”


Comforting Home Care by Phoebe Can Help Relieve Stress

Remember, you don’t have to do it alone. If you find the stress of caring for an aging parent overwhelming, Comforting Home Care by Phoebe can help.


Give us a call today at 610-625-5206 to learn more about our  in-home care services, or connect with us online.

CONTACT US TO LEARN MORE

More From Our Blog

Contact us for in-home caregiver support in Allentown and Berks County PA
By Staff Writer 26 Oct, 2024
Discover practical strategies for helping aging parents live independently at home, including safety modifications, healthcare planning, social engagement, and technology tools.
Contact us for in-home care for loved ones with Alzheimer's or Dementia.
By Staff Writer 16 Oct, 2024
Learn to traverse the evolving relationship dynamics with a loved one affected by Alzheimer's. Discover communication strategies, support tips, and resources for a strong connection.
Contact us for in-home care for dementia and Alzheimer's patients in Pennsylvania.
By Staff Writer 05 Oct, 2024
Learn ways to combat the stigma surrounding Alzheimer's and dementia. Discover common misconceptions, their impact on families, and strategies to promote awareness and support.
Contact us for in-home care services in Eastern PA.
By Staff Writer 21 Sep, 2024
Discover essential tips and strategies for maintaining your physical, mental, and emotional well-being as a caregiver.
Contact us for home care designed to help in transitioning from hospital to home.
By Staff Writer 14 Sep, 2024
Learn how to effectively manage the transition from hospital to rehab to home with discharge preparation, selecting a rehab facility, ensuring home safety, and maintaining ongoing support.
Contact us for in-home care for Alzheimer's patients.
By Staff Blogger 07 Sep, 2024
Read about the disease progression, medical care, daily living adjustments, and support resources to help you and your loved ones after an Alzheimer's diagnosis.
Contact us for home care services in Berks, Bucks, Lehigh, and Northampton Counties.
By Staff Blogger 17 Aug, 2024
By setting boundaries, caregivers can improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being, while also delivering better care to their loved ones.
Contact us for Cancer Home Care in Berks, Bucks, Lehigh, and Northampton Counties.
By Staff Blogger 10 Aug, 2024
Returning home after cancer treatment? Let Comforting Home Care ease you into life in familiar surroundings after a period of in-patient care.
Contact us for Alzheimer's and dementia home care.
By Staff Blogger 03 Aug, 2024
While an individual’s experience of Alzheimer’s can vary widely, the condition is usually divided into three stages: Early, Middle, and Late-stage.
More Posts ▸
Share by: