SelfCare: 7 Things To Do When You're Stressed to Wit's End

Mush on the floor....funny...oh how many times has that been the case:)

#1 and #6. We need to take time to breathe...deeply. Why is it we forget to slow down and take deep breaths when the stresses of the world pile high upon our shoulders? Thanks for the reminder, Paula.

I wondered if the human brain could explode .... Breathing technics were helpful Thanks,

Practical, easy to implement Bravo & thanx

Good, easy advice!

Just thinking about doing a few of these today, e.g. tea, chocolate, fresh air, was helpful to me. Going to do them, and I know they will be REALLY helpful!

Thank u, this articles was very helpful!

. Decide not to decide. "Should I do x or y?" When you're superstressed, even the simplest decisions can overwhelm you. Deciding might relieve some uncertainty, but sometimes you just can't get there right away. What's important is to know that's okay. Better: Walk away from the decision. Put it off for today, if that's possible. Even if the decision feels urgent, you almost always have an hour to take a time out. Don't think about the pressing choice. Distract yourself, sit with yourself, do anything but dwell. Sometimes giving yourself the gift of a little distance is all the breathing room you needed.

you're always so helpful!!!

Thanks for the suggestions. I do the breathing, but even though I like tea, I had never thought of using that. I had an amazing stress reliever yesterday, something I would never have come up with. I went to a class for work. My bother was with my mom, but I ususally still worry. Well, for hours, I concentrated on what I needed to learn and realized that I hadn't had a stomach ache all day! It was work, but I was totally distracted and it made a huge difference in my day, and in how I slept last night, and how I feel today. Who'd a thunk it? :-)

Thank you while I sit hear and crey I will go have that cup of tea, and chocolate to

Great article Paula, Thanks for putting up these stress-relieving strategies. The cup of tea is definitely one that I indulge in on a regular basis. I do think that you left one off the list. If you want to buy yourself time to regain a little sanity. I would recommend actually buying a little time. Maybe take a week or two off of caregiving and hire an accredited caregiver for a week or two and just take a vacation from caregiving. Maybe that is a trip or just a long tea break, but stepping away often makes decisions more clear. For more information on in-home caregivers, check out this blog: www.rightathome.net/seniorhomecare. Best Wishes, Bill

Thank you for this important and helpful article. It's a shame that we all have to be reminded (and remind ourselves) that it's not only OK, but necessary, to take care of ourselves and to sometimes put ourselves first. No one thing works for everyone, but you offer a wonderful menu of choices. At www.activeseniorsintransition.com we have found that people in the "sandwich generation" who consider their own needs, have more to give to their children and aging parents.