Mindfulness for the Caregiver

Who am I? Where am I?

Caregiving takes out so much of us that we can get lost – literally. The acts of providing care takes us so far away from our selves at times that we can lose track of how to get back. We lose track of how to find that quiet space inside where we truly live.

In the same way that we have to bring intention to self-care activities like eating, adding a few daily activities can help restore some of our selves without neglecting any of our caregiving chores. No special equipment, no time commitments, and best of all, no costs to bring back your life.

It all starts with one step.

Heads Up

Since scheduling time for “me” is such a challenge, let’s turn our perceptions around to being on the lookout for opportunities. We all know them when we stumble across them. A chance 5 minutes of respite as the person you care for is safely engaged or supervised by others. Maybe it is at a doctor’s appointment or at the hairdresser or barber.

Take advantage of the situation! Stop to breathe. Listen to your body instead of the multitude of thoughts swarming in your head.

Still thinking about what you still have to do or worry about today? Just stop and take a mini vacation. Sometimes just some deep breathing can improve your energy and attitude for the rest of the day.

Joys

Take pleasure in some simple things.

You’re starting to feel guilty already aren’t you? Well stop and take care of yourself for just a minute. Seriously.

Look around and see. There are lots of these tiny chances to feel some old familiar emotions. Nature is all around, so take advantage. A few minutes of a sunrise or sunset. Just be there with the natural events. Stop your problem solving for a few and plug into where you once lived.

Perhaps flavors will help. Try an old food or drink from better days. The flavors can take you someplace else for a short while. Juicy Fruit gum always manages to take me back to the simpler times of my childhood. Every decade or so, I still buy a pack and sit back to savor the memories the flavors elicit.

Maybe your trigger is fresh baked bread. Go make some of go to a bakery. Just pull that trigger now and again to take the break.

And if your loved one is part of those fond memories, be sure to include them in the experience. As we all learn, they too are having a difficult time. Helping them cope while you cope is a win across the board.

Pay Attention (aka Mindfulness)

Mindfulness is just that. Being mindful. Paying attention. A mindfulness practice is just that easy.

Rediscover yourself in the simple things around. Walk in a garden or walk around the block. Just get out and appreciate some Nature in your surroundings and in your own body. Deep breaths of fresh air, combined with perhaps some sunshine on your skin, even if only for a few minutes, can recharge personal energies. Like my friend with the #mommoment postings to social media about her Mom’s latest moon watch results, caregiving is about being present. Often times it is about managing events and activities but some times need to be about just being.