Washington (206) 362-2366
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Washington (206) 362-2366
Oregon (503) 252-8499
Being an in-home caregiver is a full time job that doesn’t allow for many breaks. This means that your down time away from senior care management is precious. Being in charge of someone’s home care Seattle experience can be very stressful. As a caregiver, you’ve taken on caring for another person’s well being, while still needing to manage your own life and your own stress.
Caregiving for a loved one—although rewarding and often necessary—can be straining financially, emotionally and physically. That’s why it’s so important to utilize the quick breaks you do get to destress. Here are a few ideas that will help you destress during your quick 15 to 30 minute breaks as an in-home caregiver.
No matter what your interests might be—history, gaming, celebrity gossip, or Gilmore Girls, there’s bound to be a well-produced podcast based on what you love. Many podcasts are around 30 minutes long—the perfect length for a quick break! It’s a great way to engage with a topic you’re passionate about without exerting a ton of energy. Check out this list of the 10 best podcasts of 2021 according to the New York Times, and see if anything strikes your fancy.
Did you know that just petting your dog can lower your cortisol levels? This means that spending quality time with your beloved pet has the power to physically alter the amount of stress hormones in your body! Isn’t that incredible? Take your dog for a walk, snuggle up with your cat, feed your guinea pig an extra spinach treat, or teach your parakeet a trick. Spending time with pets is a great way to destress and build a stronger bond with your furry friend.
This might seem obvious, but getting out of the house for even 15 minutes can do wonders for stress relief and overall mental health. Walking helps you get in a little physical activity, which can release endorphins. It’s also a great way to be present in the moment and enjoy the nature around you. When you come back from your walk, you’re sure to feel refreshed.
When you think of gaming systems, you might think of intense teenage gamers playing complicated games into the wee hours of the morning. However, there are plenty of games that are quite enjoyable for the casual consumer that are easy and may help you destress.
For example, Animal Crossing took the country by storm when it was released for the Nintendo Switch. People of all ages enjoy creating a character and running around their very own island. You’re not trying to win in these types of games, it’s just an adorable world to escape into for a few minutes at a time.
If you’re looking to avoid screen time, consider plugging away at a crossword puzzle or a round of Sudoku.
There’s nothing more zen than coloring in a coloring book. You can spend as little or as long as you’d like coloring between the lines. Coloring books aren’t just for kids anymore. You can get coloring books themed with your favorite television series, like Schitt’s Creek or Star Trek. You’re sure to feel a sense of accomplishment even if you can only color for 15 minutes.
You don’t need to go to an hour-long yoga session to get the benefits of yoga. In fact, there are many online yoga videos that are 30 minutes or shorter. You also don’t have to be a yogi to destress with yoga. Follow along with a video for beginners, clear your mind and fill your body with breath. Even if you just lay in the final savasana for the entirety of your yoga session, you’ll feel better, because you made time to be a caregiver for yourself.
When you don’t have a lot of downtime, committing to an entire novel can seem too much like a chore. That’s why a collection of short stories might be the perfect way for you to escape into a great book. You can read one story a day to unwind, so you never forget where you left off. Famous writers, like Agatha Christie, have penned some of the most beloved and renowned short stories. Do a quick search on the internet to find out if your favorite writer has a collection of short stories.
As an in-home caregiver, taking at least 15 minutes a day to destress is a great act of self care. You may notice that using that time to do something you legitimately enjoy drastically improves your mood for the rest of the day. Switch up your routine and find small ways to alleviate stress on your breaks.
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