Caregiver's Five Minute Break

Take a break from all you are doing for others, and enjoy a few moments of relaxation and peace for yourself! You will need a candle that you can light after we begin, and a warm and soothing drink. With some simple relaxation movements, using open fingers to slowly bring the energy of the candlelight up to your neck, face, shoulders and over your head, you will begin to feel the gentle relaxation effects ... while beginning to breathe more slowly. Follow these quiet moments with a sip of your warm drink and relax in a comfortable position to complete your time.

Transcript

Hello and a warm welcome to you today and an invitation for you to take a few moments with me now in a simple routine of self-care for you when the one you are caring for is either asleep or not needing your assistance. And it centers around a candle and a warm drink for you. So please place me on pause to find a real candle to light together and make yourself something warm and soothing to drink. And I'll be waiting for you to return. Assuming you are ready to proceed now, Please light your candle. And then use your two hands, Fingers separated, To gently bring the warmth and energy of the candle upwards towards your face a few times. Feeling the energy as you do this, Gently moving the energy from the candle light up to your face and breathing into this gentle space of relaxation. And continue with this movement as you move the energy more slowly now, Moving it with your hands, Fingers open, Out from your face and directing it over your head and past both sides of your face outwards, Over your shoulders a few times as well. Just try those movements gently and easily and feel it beginning to relax you. Just a couple more movements for you, Up over your head, Out across your shoulders, Out to the outside of your face, Even your neck, Bringing it up to your neck. And then take a slow breath. And then sit down in front of your candle and take your warm drink in your hands and enjoy your first sip. And then relax into your chair, Celebrating this quiet moment of peace. And take another slower and deeper breath, Breathing in and out. And have another sip of your drink. And just notice how you're feeling. Hopefully your shoulders are loosening and softening and relaxing and your face is relaxing, Especially between your eyebrows and your forehead and your lower jaw, Allowing it to be open slightly when your mouth is closed. And take another sip of your drink. And close your eyes if you'd like to and just relax and enjoy the rest of your drink. And when you've finished, Extinguish your candle. Until next time, Making this part of a ritual, Keeping it special for your daily moments of self-care. Thanks for joining me in this today. Please be kind, Loving, And gentle with yourself, As well as whoever is in your care. Bye for now. Namaste.