Coping with an Uncertain Future
Dear Caregivers,
With a month still left in the hurricane season, erupting conflict in the Middle East, and the upcoming presidential election, it’s hard not to feel a little anxious about the future.
While anxiety might perhaps seem like a natural response in these troubled times, it still isn’t good for you. Studies have shown that having long-term anxiety can trigger a host of issues in a person’s physical and mental health, including high blood pressure, digestive troubles, a weakened immune system, sleep disturbances, and fatigue.
For caregivers of a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, the anxiety of troubled times is laid over the already-existing host of anxieties about your loved one’s health, their mental decline, and their long-term future.
However, it’s critically important to remember that while you can’t stop or ignore the external forces that give rise to anxious thoughts, that doesn’t mean that you can’t do anything about your situation. Learning how to deal with anxiety when it arises not only helps you cope day-to-day to get through the trouble, but also has the miraculous effect of building your long-term resilience, giving you the confidence that whatever the future may bring, you’ll be ready. And knowing that you have that power has the effect of decreasing your anxiety overall.
Here is some guidance on how to cope with anxious thoughts:
How To Do Relaxation Breathing:
If you're feeling anxious, the first step to take is to break your body's stress response cycle. Relaxation breathing is a powerful technique to achieve this.
Strategies to Reduce Caregiver Anxiety:
It’s important to understand that anxiety is triggered by physical reactions to stress signals the body receives. Here’s how to reduce these effects.
Anxiety and Alzheimer’s Disease:
For people with Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety can complicate their course and significantly reduce their quality of life and interpersonal relationships. Here's how you can help.
Remember, if you can’t find the information you need on our website, you can always “Ask NAN” by clicking on this link.
Best,
Rosemary D Laird, MD, MHSA
Founder and Chief Medical Officer
"Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest taken between two deep breaths.”
— Etty Hillesum
