Finding the Calm After a Storm
Dear Caregivers,
There are the great storms, such as Milton, which recently plowed through central Florida, causing death, havoc, and leaving thousands of people without power. Then there are the everyday, personal, storms of family conflict, health crises, and sudden changes in your loved one’s situation. Whatever kind of storm you weather through, it takes its toll.
Like all big storms, Milton left in its wake a loss of sleep, a flooding of stress hormones, and the exhaustion of being buffeted by the winds of change. As a caregiver, you must dig out, take stock, and make a plan for the path ahead.
Luckily, as the saying goes, there is calm after a storm. Finding that place of calm is critical for you, as a caregiver, so that you can renew, refresh, and get ready for what’s next. Please take the time and make a special effort to give yourself some self-care!
Some Self-Care Actions YOU CAN DO Right Now:
An essential part of being a caregiver is caring for yourself. You have to make time to tend to yourself, no matter how much or little time you may have. Here are some ideas.
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.
Sleep the Stress Away:
The quality of an individual’s sleep is strongly connected to their overall physical, cognitive, and emotional health, and lack of sleep is a leading complaint of caregivers. Here are some tips on how to get some quality sleep.
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
“There are some things you can only learn in a storm.”
— Joel Osteen
