Welcome to the caregiver's heart.
It's a time for rest for those of us who are always giving.
So take a moment to settle into your comfy space warm and cozy and just feel your body beginning to soften.
Gently close your eyes and just tune into this present moment.
This practice is for those who spend so much of their time caring for others.
If you are someone who listens,
Supports,
Helps or holds things together,
Often putting the needs of others before your own,
This time is for you.
And caregiving can take many forms.
You may care for family,
Friends,
Clients,
Patients or simply be the person others turn to when life feels heavy.
Now remember that a caring heart is a beautiful thing but even the most generous heart needs moments of rest.
Moments when nothing is required of you,
Where you do not have to fix,
Solve or carry anything.
Just a quiet space where you are allowed to receive care too.
Before we continue just gently affirm either quietly or out loud to yourself.
My care for others is meaningful.
I allow myself moments of rest and renewal.
It is safe for me to receive care too.
Take a slow breath in now and a gentle soft breath out.
Just allow these words to settle softly within you.
Good.
Now bring your attention to your breath and allow your breath to move naturally through your nose.
It's soft,
Steady and forced.
Simply notice the quiet rise of your inhale and the slow settling of your exhale.
There's nothing to change here.
You are just observing.
Now gradually allow your exhale to become a little longer than your inhale.
Breathing in gently through your nose and breathing out slowly letting your body soften.
Again inhale,
Calm and steady.
Exhale longer,
Releasing.
Just let your breath be your gentle reminder that you are allowed to receive care.
With each slow exhale just allow your body to release some of the responsibility it has been holding.
Your shoulders are softening,
Your chest is easing and your breath is moving like a quiet wave through your body.
You spend so much of your energy supporting others.
So for these moments simply allow yourself to be supported by your beautiful breath.
Inhale,
Receiving.
Exhale,
Releasing.
You can let go now.
There is nothing you need to carry.
You are in this present moment.
Now just bring your awareness to your face.
When we care deeply for others the body can often hold that responsibility quietly.
Especially around your jaw,
Your temples and at the base of your skull.
So let's begin with your jaw.
Just allow your teeth to part slightly.
Let your tongue rest softly in your mouth and just notice if your jaw has been holding any effort and just gently allow it to soften.
Bring awareness to your temples now and if it feels comfortable you might use soft fingertips to just gently massage your temples in slow circles.
Good.
Just allow your muscles of the face to remember ease.
There is no rush here,
Just slow gentle movement.
Now bring awareness to the base of your skull where the head meets your neck.
This area so often holds tension from responsibility and long hours of attention.
So just see warmth spreading through this space,
Softening the muscles there.
Let your head feel a little heavier supported and now allow your whole face to soften.
Your forehead smoothing,
Your eyes resting and your jaw is relaxed.
There is nothing you need to manage right now.
You are just resting in this very moment.
Now let's take a moment for your care.
Just allow your imagination to gently awaken and you see yourself sitting in a beautiful peaceful place.
It could be a quiet garden,
A peaceful room or somewhere in nature where you feel safe.
You see there is a comfortable seat that is waiting just for you.
It's a place where you can simply rest and as you sit there you notice that the atmosphere around you is so calm and supportive.
It's almost as though this space itself is caring for you.
You do not have to give anything here.
You do not have to hold anyone together.
You are just simply allowed to rest.
Now see a gentle warmth surrounding your heart.
This warmth it represents the care that you so often give to others.
That's your kindness,
That's your patience,
Your support,
Your compassion.
And now instead of flowing outward that warmth begins to softly return to you.
It's filling your own heart,
Restoring your own energy and it's allowing yourself to receive that care right now.
So breathing in,
Receive,
Breathing out,
Rest.
Continue now in your own time for a few more breaths,
For a moment.
Held in quiet support your heart is replenishing and your energy is returning.
Breathing in,
Receive,
Breathing out,
Rest.
Wonderful.
Now just resume your natural breathing pattern and as you rest here just reflect on these words.
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch,
A smile,
A kind word and that is a quote from Leo Baskaglia.
So every act of care you offer matters and the kindness you share with others also deserves to be given to yourself.
So take a slow breath in and a gentle breath out and just notice,
Reflect on how your body feels when it is allowed to pause.
Caregivers they give so much of themselves.
It's your time,
Your energy,
Your attention but even the most generous heart really does need these moments of rest.
These moments where the giving pauses and the renewal can begin.
Because a caring heart does not become stronger through constant effort.
It grows stronger through rest,
Self-compassion and balance.
And your beautiful heart deserves that care too.
So as we come to the end just gently repeat this affirmation either silently or out loud to yourself.
My caring heart is a beautiful gift.
I honor the care I give and I allow myself the rest I deserve.
Take one final slow breath in and a soft breath out and carry this sense of calm and renewal with you as you continue your morning,
Your day or your evening.
And remember your caring heart is such a beautiful thing and every caring heart really deserves this moment of rest.
Namaste my friend.
