Staying on an emotionally even keel is essential for caregivers, as difficult as that might sometimes seem. Try these three tips for fending off frustration:
Take a Mini Vacation
Can’t get away? Try a 10-minute fantasy vacation. Close your eyes and picture yourself in a place that makes you happy—perhaps a sun-drenched tropical beach. Focus on the details. See the bright blue sea and sky, hear the waves, smell the tangy salt water, feel the soft breeze. Keep visualizing the scene until you relax. Research has shown that guided imagery—which can be as simple as visualizing a beautiful place—can boost your mood and ease stress.
Gather Some Rosebuds
Splurge on a bouquet or pick some flowers from the garden. Researchers at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ, found that women got a mood boost from flowers that lasted for days. They reported feeling less depressed, anxious and agitated after receiving a bouquet.
Cuddle a Critter
Cats and dogs are proven four-legged stressbusters. People feel less anxious when Pumpkin or Shadow is around—and their blood pressure reflects their calmer state of mind, according to a series of studies by Karen Allen, PhD, psychology professor at the University of Buffalo in New York. “Pets have a calming effect and can help lower responses to everyday stress, even situations over which we have no control,” says Dr. Allen. “They provide unconditional love—and they’re always on your side.”
More Info
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