Dear Compassionate Caregiver If you're wondering how you can care for anyone,
Especially a loved one,
When you're running on empty.
Welcome to your 7 Minute Sanctuary.
Caregiving is a calling for many.
Some consider it an honor.
Others may be caregiving out of obligation.
Regardless of how you became a caregiver,
At some point,
You may feel mentally,
Physically,
And emotionally exhausted.
Train.
Depleted.
Running on empty.
May need a temporary escape,
But your caregiving responsibilities are relentless.
If you are running on empty,
It is essential that you take time to recharge.
You may not think you have time.
You don't have anyone to help you with your caregiving duties.
You can't get away for an extended period of time.
So let's think and maybe redefine how you recharge.
What if you actually are able to recharge right where you are?
In fact,
I invite you to do just that.
This is your 7 minute sanctuary.
If you are able.
Sit or lie down as comfortably as possible.
If it's safe to do so,
I invite you to close your eyes.
Gently Place one hand on your heart.
And your other hand on your belly.
Notice how fast your heart is beating.
Notice your breathing.
Slow your breathing by inhaling through your nose.
And exhaling out of your mouth.
You can inhale through your nose to the count of four.
And then even more slowly exhale out of your mouth.
To the count of 8.
Continue to slowly breathe in.
Or four.
And out for eight.
As you're slowly breathing.
Think about your dream vacation.
It can be somewhere you've been already,
Or maybe somewhere you've been wanting to go.
Maybe you go with your favorite person.
Or maybe you just want to go alone.
This is your dream vacation,
So it can look and feel however you want.
As long as you don't have to do anything other than relax and ease your mind while you're on vacation.
Returning to your slow,
Deep inhale through your nose.
And even more slowly exhaling through your mouth.
As you're slowly breathing,
Visualize yourself in your favorite place,
Doing your favorite things,
Or maybe doing nothing at all.
Except relaxing and appreciating this time to yourself.
Noticing your breath as you're slowly inhaling through your nose.
Four counts.
And out of your mouth for 8 counts.
The only thing you have to do now is allow your mind to run free to your happy place.
And stay there as long as you allow.
Slowly.
Inhaling through your nose.
Slowly exhaling out of your mouth.
What are you seeing in your mind?
Can you smell any pleasant fragrances?
You hear anything special?
You notice any changes in the temperature around you or maybe the temperature of your body.
What will make this dream vacation?
Your happy place.
Even better for you.
Perhaps you want to invite those things into your mind now.
As you continue to breathe in.
Positive feelings that you may be experiencing now.
And exhaling,
Releasing any things that you don't want with you in your happy place.
You're a happy place.
You're a dream vacation.
You can make it however you want.
As you're still focusing on your breath.
Take a few more minutes to fully experience your dream vacation.
So you can mentally bring yourself back here whenever you want.
This is your sanctuary.
So you don't have to limit yourself to seven minutes.
You can come back whenever you want.
And stay as long as you need.
You're always welcome here.
