Activities to Help Caregivers Decompress

Caregivers can have hectic schedules that demands a lot of energy and emotions from them. Between taking care of their family and tending to their client’s needs, caregivers are likely in need of a way to relax and decompress. It is important to remember that taking time for yourself is not selfish, it is the best way to take care of your mental, physical and emotional well-being. Here are some ways that caregivers can decompress after a long day.

• Go for a walk to clear your mind! Not only will a walk allow you to get fresh air and a moment to yourself, it will allow your body to get exercise and a chance to increase your endorphins.
• Find a book that you love and dive into it! A great story can take your mind off your reality for a few hours. Find a book that you love, a comfortable place to sit and read it and enjoy!
• Give yourself a massage. Whether you prefer hand or foot massages, give yourself a little pampering by finding pressure points that will help you relieve stress. You do not need to go to a professional to find relief! We recommend doing research on pressure points that will help you relieve stress or techniques to relax you.
• Disconnect from the chaotic and hectic world. Your days are likely jam packed with activities, travel and interacting with others. While that can be rewarding, it can also cause you to feel burnt out and overwhelmed. Try turning your phone off or putting it into a different room for the rest of your day. Disconnecting from the outside world for a reasonable amount of time can help you feel refreshed, recharged and reinvigorated.
• Surround yourself with people you love that will lift you up higher. When you are feeling overwhelmed and in need of decompression, you likely are feeling anxious as well. You feed off of the vibe from your surroundings, which makes the people you surround yourself with incredibly important. Surround yourself with people that will put you at ease and make your anxiety disappear.
• Just breathe. Take some time to find your breath and put your mind at ease. While it may seem easy, focusing on only your breath can be extremely challenging and will require you to clear your mind. Try finding a comfortable place you can sit in and breathe in and breathe out.

Anxiety, stress and tension should not be a part of your routine. Instead of allowing yourself to experience burn out and stress, we hope that you will use these activities to help you decompress. You work hard serving others each and every day, but remember putting yourself first should always be a priority!