Relaxation
With changing societies and expectations, today’s caregivers are under more stress than ever. With all these things going on, you may need something to calm your stress and tension right here and now.
Why is learning to relax so important?
Taking a moment to step back from a stressful situation allows us to approach it from a more assertive, rational position. By taking a moment to relax, we allow ourselves to approach the situation with a clear and confident frame of mind. Without this, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to confront the stressful situation productively.
Music for the Soul
Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul. – Anonymous
The third relaxation, Music for the Soul, is a technique that only requires you to have some way to listen to the music you enjoy. It can be while driving in the car or having the radio/CD on somewhere in the house or on your portable audio player. It is commonly believed that music has the power to help relieve many forms of stress. Similar to the deep breathing technique, listening to music can generally be done anywhere, anytime. An added benefit is that if your loved one also enjoys the type of music you select, and it isn’t too much of a distraction (i.e. volume level, etc.), you both could use this opportunity as a shared pleasant activity. And if the music has a beat to it, you might even enjoy dancing or moving with the rhythm!
Although the kind of music that people find relaxing varies, the key is that as long as you find the music you are listening to enjoyable and relaxing, this exercise may help you to feel comforted and at rest.
Alzheimer's Assn.