By Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center
November is National Caregivers Awareness Month. So often, the needs of the caregiver come second to everyone else. Yet, self-care is crucial for the sake of everyone.
Due to the needs of the spouse, child or friend they are caring for, caregivers often have little to no time to take care of their own mental health needs. In a recent Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center (CHSC) Caregiver Support Group meeting, the discussion focused on the topic of what some of our caregivers have tried – and enjoyed – to reduce their stress levels.
One member expressed that she has enjoyed receiving Reiki. Reiki is a Japanese technique that helps reduce stress by channeling energy through specific hand placement on the body. If one’s “life force energy” is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy. The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words – “Rei” which means “God’s Wisdom or the Higher Power” and “Ki” which is “life force energy”.
Some caregiver members said they practice mindfulness, or use meditation apps on their devices. Mindfulness is focusing attention on the present moment. It also involves acceptance, meaning that we pay attention to our thoughts and feelings without judging them—without believing, for instance, that there’s a “right” or “wrong” way to think or feel in a given moment. When we practice mindfulness, our thoughts tune into what we’re sensing in the present moment rather than rehashing the past or imagining the future.
There are many mindfulness and meditation apps available including one called Headspace which sends daily reminders to take three minutes to practice relaxation techniques. Here is a link to an article on best meditation apps: www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/top-meditation-iphone-android-apps. Some apps are free (or start out that way) and some offer a paid subscription.
There are so many options to choose from to promote relaxation and reduce stress! Whether you choose to meditate, do deep breathing exercises, listen to music, exercise or practice yoga, it is crucial that you take a few moments out of your day to take care of YOU! Members of our caregiver group agree that the support system they have developed as part of this group has also been amazing. Sometimes, one of the best stress-reducing methods is simply being able to share your struggles with those who are experiencing the same things. Empathy and socializing with others can often allow caregivers to realize they are not alone. And, although friends and family are certainly part of an important support system, they may not realize the particular issues a caregiver faces daily. That’s why members of the CHSC Caregiver Support Group find it so beneficial to participate – and share their tips with others.
For more information on the CHSC Caregiver Support Group, contact Rebecca Mental at the Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center at [email protected]
