You Have the Power to Cope

At Courage to Caregivers, we recognized early on that we can’t REMOVE the stress of caregiving - no matter how much we WISH we could. YET, we CAN empower caregivers to better cope and manage the stress of caregiving. That's because, for caregivers, much is out of our control, but COPING with that stress IS 100% within our control. 

Good news - Dr. Elissa Epel has published a new book - "The Stress Prescription." Dr. Epel is the source of an eye-opening statistic that we cite very often: stress has been found to take 10 years off of a caregiver’s life. The book was so transformative that I was inspired to create a 7 Day Stress Management Challenge - available in its entirety on our social media channels.  

  1. Day 1: EMBRACE UNCERTAINTY

    • Focus on your breath - our Breathing Meditation Facilitator Cathy has recorded our favorite breathing practices here!

    • Meditation - we happen to be biased, yet our own breathing meditation classes are our favorite!

    • Mindfulness - there are many ways to practice mindfulness - mine is to take a nature hike with all 5 of my senses.

    • Embrace your thoughts and feelings - there are no “good” or “bad” feelings - it’s essential to process your thoughts and feel all the feels. 

    • Journal - research has shown the benefits of journaling and writing down your thoughts and feelings. 

    • Hold space - for YOU and for your loved one. 

  2. Day 2: LET GO OF THE THINGS YOU CAN'T CONTROL

    • We realize that much is OUT of our control, but there is also much that IS in our control: our attitude, the way we respond to others, how we treat others, how we feel, our decisions and thoughts, setting boundaries, self-care - self-talk and self-compassion.

  3. Day 3: FIND EXCITEMENT IN CHALLENGES

    • REFRAME challenges as opportunities for growth;

    • EMBRACE A GROWTH MINDSET - we're a perpetual perfectly imperfect work in progress;

    • KEEP AN OPEN MIND - look for opportunities and possibilities.

  4. Day 4: METABOLIZE BODY STRESS

    • Eat well - stay hydrated - sleep well - consider cold/heat immersion - high intensity workouts.

  5. Day 5: IMMERSE YOURSELF IN NATURE

    • Get out in the fresh air and go for a walk.

    • Find yourself a “wild” nature space.

    • Eat a meal outside.

    • Take a mindfulness hike - use all five of your senses.

    • Take in the awe and wonder of a sunrise or a sunset.

    • Identify birds, trees, or flowers. 

    • Head to the park with a book and a picnic.

    • Take a photograph, make a doodle or sketch of something you see in nature.

  6. Day 6: EXPERIENCE DEEP REST

    • Sleep - unplug - carve out alone time - more breathing meditation - do something “unproductive” - give yourself “permission” to take a break.

  7. Day 7: CREATE BLISS BOOKENDS

    • In the morning - set an intention for your day - take time to sip a hot beverage while it’s hot.

    • In the evening - journal, meditate, read - make a gratitude practice - find ways to make your bedroom a sanctuary. 

I have confidence in YOU - you CAN cope and manage the stress of caregiving and other daily stressors you may face. At Courage to Caregivers, we want to support you in your journey of personal growth. We’re here to believe in YOU as you begin to believe in yourself. “Believe you can and you’re halfway there” ~ Theodore Roosevelt

Kristi Horner