10 Ways Caregivers Can Take a Quick Break Right Now

We all need a break from routine or a rough day. Our friends at Daily Caring have some suggestions for mini-breaks that can do a world of good for your mind, body and spirit.Caregivers need regular breaks Taking regular breaks is essential for caregiver health. Like they say, caregiving is a marathon (or triathlon) so you’ll have to pace yourself. A great way to pace yourself is to take micro breaks during the day. These tiny breaks will still benefit your health (and sanity) and will actually fit into your schedule. Even a 5 minute break reduces stress You might think that you have to spend a weekend at a yoga retreat to reduce stress, but that’s not true at all. Even a quick 5 minute break can significantly reduce your stress and improve your overall health. Taking short breaks throughout the day also helps you be more focused and get more done. For someone with an endless To Do list, that’s music to your ears! 10 ways to take a quick break right now Here’s a list of our ten favorite free ways to take a very short break. You’ll feel better in 5 minutes or less. Give one of these a try today!

1. Close your eyes, slow your breathing, and count slowly to 10 and then back down to 1. Repeat.
2. Drink a glass of water. Dehydration makes you tired, headachy, and cranky.
3. Do a 2 or 5 minute guided meditation at calm.
4. Follow this 5 minute relaxing stretch video you can do at your desk or chair.
5. Listen to some upbeat music.
6. Take a 5 minute walk outside. If you can’t leave your older adult alone, just step outside the door and breathe some fresh air, leaving it open so you can still keep an eye on them.
7. Do a brain dump. Get all your thoughts out on paper. Don’t worry about being organized, neat, or even making sense. Just start writing stuff down on paper and don’t stop until your brain is clear.
8. Do some exercise - do 10 squats, 10 jumping jacks, and 10 lunges. Repeat until your body feels energized.
9. Start planning a fun activity for yourself. Decide what you want to do, figure out how much time you’ll need, and ask family or friends to help with your senior while you’re doing your fun activity. That could mean going for a massage, taking a long walk, having a nice meal out, seeing a friend you’ve been meaning to catch up with, etc. This may take a few 5 minute breaks to get planned, but it will be worth it!
10. Watch a funny video like the best of Wipeout (an obstacle game show) with hilarious commentary.

By Connie Chow, Contributing Writer and Founder of DailyCaringImage: Music Teacher’s Helper