Mindfulness — Blog — Courage to Caregivers

March Newsletter: Mindfulness - Presence is the best present 🎁

Mindfulness may feel "trendy" or just an "overused" term to you. Before we launched Courage to Caregivers in 2018 - it did to me, too! As I have come to understand, appreciate, and aspire to make mindfulness a practice in my daily life, mindfulness has become my #1 coping strategy for the stress of caregiving.

I face stress as a caregiver each and every day. I support a young adult with a traumatic brain injury and aging parents (one newly minted 90-year old) - both living in our home. Using mindfulness as a coping strategy for the stress of caregiving, I am able to better regulate my emotions, sleep better (and return to sleep more effectively), notice when I'm not focused on what's IN my control, and find myself simply more present. I also love that mindfulness is rooted in COMPASSION - and we're all born with the capacity to be mindful.

I now find myself focusing on my breath (it truly can be that simple - and our breathing meditation classes have shown me just that), using affirmations and intentions and focusing on the present.

Mindful Magazine (our go-to for all things MINDFUL) has an excellent definition of mindfulness: "Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us. Mindfulness is a quality that every human being already possesses, it’s not something you have to conjure up, you just have to learn how to access it."

Check out our entire March newsletter focused on Mindfulness here.

Slow Down … Be Present

“When you are present, when your attention is fully in the Now, Presence will flow into and transform what you do. There will be a quality and power in it.” – Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now

No matter what we have going on in our lives, there are times when we need to slow down, be present, and be mindful. Mindfulness is the ability to focus on the present moment while calmly recognizing and accepting our thoughts, feelings, and body sensations. Being mindful frees us from being stuck in the past or trying to control the future. It allows us to be aware of where we are and what we’re doing while not being overly reactive or overwhelmed by what is happening around us.

For caregivers, mindfulness means learning to live in the moment, accepting the reality of our situation, and filtering out distractions.

MindfulnessKristi HornerMarch 9, 2023Mindfulness, Being Present, Living Mindfully

March Newsletter: Mindfulness to Cope With Stress

Mindfulness has many benefits! It's been found to support you in regulating emotions, managing stress and leading to greater overall health and well-being. Our theme of MINDFULNESS in March fits under the composure domain of resilience. Composure - in regards to resilience - is about learning to regulate our emotions. It's also about the "little things" - being mindful in the moment. Sounds easy, right? It's HARD!

Check out our March Newsletter focused on MINDFULNESS here.

Stress Awareness Month - April 2021 Newsletter

April’s Newsletter is focused on Stress Awareness Month - Courage to Caregivers is in the Caregiver Burnout Prevention business!

Read our April 2021 Newsletter here.

Mindfulness - Focus on What's in Your Control - March 2021 Newsletter

March’s Newsletter is focused on Mindfulness - Focus on What’s in Your Control!

Read our March Newsletter here.

MindfulnessKristi HornerApril 1, 2021Monthly Newsletter, Mindfulness

Disruptive Calm

For caregivers, there are some days when we long for just a few moments of peace. Everyone needs us right now, everything feels like a crisis (or actually is a crisis), and life seems to be spinning out of control and into chaos.

MindfulnessKristi HornerMarch 25, 2021Inner Calm, Self-Care, Inner Peace, Serenity, Mindfulness

Mindfulness and the 90-Second Rule

As caregivers, we see a lot of curveballs, and so much is OUT of our control. It’s good to know that when it comes to your response to your own emotions, YOU are the one who is in control!

MindfulnessKristi HornerMarch 18, 2021Mindfulness, Emotional Self-Control, Emotions, Notice, Self-Regulation

You’re Good at Compassion – Save Some for Yourself

We can be so hard on ourselves at times. You know the feeling – that we’re not doing enough or we’re not good enough. But what would you say to a loved one who felt that way? You’d give them love and support, and you’d let them know it’s not true.

MindfulnessKristi HornerMarch 11, 2021Self-Compassion, Self-Kindness, Connection, Mindfulness, Notice

Staying in Control

Mindfulness – being connected to the present moment and facing this moment only, without worrying about the future or being consumed by strong feelings about the past. By being fully present and not being overwhelmed by the world around us, we become better able to control our emotions.

MindfulnessKristi HornerMarch 4, 2021Self-Regulation, Mindfulness, Behaviors, Emotions, Thoughts

Live for the Moment … and You Might Live Longer

Did you know that the stress of caregiving could take up to 10 years off your life? That’s why it’s so important for caregivers to make stress-reducing behavior a priority in their self-care. And practicing mindfulness is one of the best ways to do that.

Spiritual WellnessKristi HornerDecember 10, 2020Mindfulness, Meditation, Breathing Meditation, Yoga

Eating Right and Staying Fit … So Crucial, Yet So Hard

Why does simply talking about nutrition and exercise give caregivers so much stress? I think it’s because caregivers know they can improve their health and wellness by eating right and staying fit. They know what they need to do and how to do it, but actually doing it is hard. I know … because it’s hard for me, too.

Physical WellnessKristi HornerJune 25, 2020Nutrition, Exercise, Mindfulness

New Year - New You?

I’m doing the best I can … each and every day. Some days are harder than others (remember – I’m a work in progress).

Spiritual WellnessKristi HornerJanuary 3, 2020Mindfulness, Change, Holidays, Courage

Holiday Self-Care – A Work in Progress

Being a work in progress is really a gift to yourself. No matter what you celebrate this Holiday Season, make time for YOU this week.

Spiritual WellnessKristi HornerDecember 27, 2019Self-Care, Mindfulness, Holidays

Be a Friend to Yourself – Practice Mindfulness

For caregivers, mindfulness means learning to live in the moment, accepting the reality of our situation, and filtering out distractions. It allows us to be fully aware of where we are and what we’re doing, while not being overly reactive or overwhelmed by what is happening around us.

Spiritual WellnessKristi HornerDecember 19, 2019Mindfulness, Breathing, Breathing Meditation, Yoga