5 Techniques That Quickly Relieve Caregiver Anxiety

Caregivers can feel overwhelmed by anxiety

Caring for an older adult is a consistently tough job. The stress can build up and suddenly get to a point where the anxiety and emotions intensify until you feel completely overwhelmed.

You could be filled with anxiety, fear, or nausea. You might even feel like you’re having an out-of-body experience.

To quickly break out of those panicked negative spirals, we found a great article from Confident Life with 5 ways to stop caregiver anxiety in its tracks. We share the techniques from the article and explain how to use them.

5 ways to get fast relief from caregiver anxiety

These are called grounding techniques because they plant you firmly in reality, in the present moment. The simple exercises take you out of your mind and force you to focus on concrete things in the real world.

Taking your mind out of anxiety-mode gives you the ability to refocus and find your reservoir of strength and calm.

Do as many of these exercises as you need, as many times as you need, until the anxiety subsides and you feel better.

1. Use the 54321 technique

• Name 5 things you can see (table, towel, cushion, etc.)
• Name 4 things you can feel (my feet on the floor, my back against the chair, the sun on my face, etc.)
• Name 3 things you can hear right now (the radio playing, birds chirping outside, etc.)
• Name 2 things you can smell right now (trees and flowers from outside, soup cooking on the stove)
• Name 1 good thing about yourself (I’m generous with my kindness)

 

2. Touch and describe an object

• Find an object around you (mug of tea)
• Describe in detail it as if you’re explaining it to someone who has never seen it before
• For example: This is a mug of tea. It’s a ceramic column that’s hollowed out so it can hold liquid. It’s a pale blue color and there is a handle that fits four fingers. It has tea inside, a hot liquid made out of leaves…
• Repeat with various objects until you feel calmer

 

3. Play a memory game
Ask yourself questions that involve memory or concentrated thinking.

For example:

• Sing (or say) as much of your favorite song as you can without the music
• Name as many types of dog breeds as you can (or cat, bird, etc.)
• How many places have you visited in your lifetime?
• Say the alphabet backwards
• Name as many sports teams in a specific league as you can (all NFL teams)

 

4. Repeat a mantra
During a calm, relaxed time, make a list of positive sayings or mantras that help you calm down and return to the present moment when anxiety makes you feel panicked.

Keep this list close to you so you can pull it out as soon as you feel the need.

Examples:

• This moment will pass and I will be OK
• I am safe and well
• These feelings will pass and things will be OK
• I know I can handle this because I’ve overcome many tough challenges
• Everyone is safe and we will all be OK

 

5. Do square breathing

When you’re stressed or having a panicked moment, you may instinctively change your breathing.

You might take rapid, shallow breaths or hold your breath instead of taking the slow, deep breaths your body needs to get plenty of oxygen and kick-start the relaxation process.

Square breathing helps you focus on breathing in a way that helps your body calm itself. Draw your breaths in all the way down to your toes and to push all the air out when you exhale.

With your finger, slowly trace the shape of a square in front of you. Keep your eyes on that finger as it moves.

• As you draw the first side, breathe in deeply for 3 seconds
• With the second side, hold your breath for 1 second
• With the third side, breathe out for 3 seconds
• With the fourth side, hold for 1 second

Feel free to vary the timing of the square’s sides to make it comfortable and relaxing for you – the breaths just need to be slow and deep.

Repeat the square and the breaths for as long as it takes to slow your heart rate and calm your mind.

 

Next Step  See the original 5 anxiety-relieving grounding methods at Confident Life (downloadable PDF pocket guide also available there)

 

Recommended for you:

• 5 Coping Tips for the Overwhelmed Caregiver
• 25 Quick Journal Prompts That Reduce Caregiver Stress and Improve Health
• 5 Mobile Apps That Instantly Relieve Caregiver Anxiety

 

By DailyCaring Editorial Team
Image: C-Care Health Services

 

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