By Roz Jones
Stress isn’t just an emotional burden; it can also take a toll on the heart. As caregivers, both our stress and our loved ones’ stress can impact overall health. Learning to manage stress is essential for maintaining heart health.
I’ve seen firsthand how unmanaged stress affects not just the heart but also relationships and daily life. One of the strategies that worked for me was creating a stress-relief routine. Each evening, my loved one and I would spend 10 minutes doing deep breathing exercises or listening to calming music. Those moments became something we both looked forward to.
Here are simple ways to address stress:
- Practice Deep Breathing: Spend a few minutes together each day practicing slow, deep breaths to calm the mind and reduce blood pressure.
- Encourage Downtime: Help your loved one find a relaxing activity they enjoy, like knitting, listening to music, or simply sitting in nature.
- Create a Stress-Relief Routine: Build small moments of peace into each day for both of you. Even a few minutes can make a significant difference.
Stress management is a team effort. By creating daily routines that promote relaxation, you can support your loved one’s heart health while improving your own well-being.
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1. YOU ARE NOT ALONE: The problems you face as a caregiver are experienced by other caregivers. Knowing that you’re not alone can be comforting.
2. Tools and Resources: Find caregiver stress management tools and gain perspective from other caregiver’s experiences.
3. LEARN TO: Ask for help, accept help when it is offered, and acknowledge yourself on this caregiving journey. Hear from experts on how to balance caregiving responsibilities by taking care of your needs and involving others to help manage the natural stress and isolation of being a caregiver.
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