The Two Sides of Stress

April is Stress Awareness Month, and we’ve said many times that the stress of caregiving has been found to take 10 years off a caregiver’s life. That’s why we focus so much on providing resources to help caregivers cope with stress. Learning how to manage the stress of caregiving can literally save your life!

But there’s another side to stress. If we recognize those things that make us feel stress and try reframing them into challenges that can be overcome, we can take a big step forward in our journey of personal growth. Stress is part of life, and we all know that, but it doesn’t have to knock us flat.

In other words, we can look at stressors as opportunities. Gaining coping and relaxation skills to help us respond to stressors can make us stronger, and we become better able to resist the negative effects of outside influences.

There are many ways to cope with the stress of caregiving. My favorite is just to go outside and get back to nature. When I do, I immediately become PRESENT. By taking in all the sights, sounds, and smells, I am immediately grounded to the present moment. Just looking at water, a sunrise, or a sunset is beautiful, wonderful, and magical. I’m reminded that every day is a new day – and it can be a fresh start.

Humor is another good way to cope. Laughing always brings me out of a funk, though I admit it can go too far and be inappropriate at times – so, I have to watch this one.

And it’s been shown that breathing meditation can reduce the stress of caregiving. Check out our YouTube channel for our weekly breathing meditations.

Here are some simple relaxation techniques that can be done sitting, standing, or lying down:

• Full breath instant relaxation

  • Begin by exhaling deeply, letting all the air out of your lungs and abdomen.

  • Inhale slowly, expanding your abdomen.

  • Continue inhaling as you expand your middle chest.

  • Continue inhaling as you expand your upper chest.

  • Hold for a few seconds.

  • Exhale in reverse order, slowly and smoothly.

  • Repeat for as many times as you feel comfortable.

• “I am relaxed” instant relaxation – combines positive affirmation with deep breathing

  • Your eyes can be open or closed.

  • Bring attention to your breath.

  • When you inhale, think “I am.”

  • When you exhale, think “relaxed.”

  • Breathe in, “I am.”

  • Breathe out, “relaxed.”

  • Continue for several rounds.

The bottom line is that stress doesn’t have to rob you of 10 years. YOU can cope and manage the stress of caregiving. Just give it a try.