This document summarizes a presentation on self-care strategies for family caregivers. It discusses using contemplative arts like meditation to reduce stress and increase well-being. Expressive arts like writing, art, dance, and music are recommended to release emotions and uplift the caregiver's spirit. Simple rituals and affirmations can also provide relief during difficult times. The presentation emphasizes practicing techniques like these to maintain resilience and renewal as part of being a caregiver.
2. Objectives
Strengthen resilience
Express and release
feelings through creative
expression
Increase ease, comfort and happiness
through meditation
Decrease stress that produces burnout
5. Caregiver’s Tools
Seasons of Care™
• Contemplative Arts
– Focus attention inside yourself
– Rekindle inner resources
– Discover sources of resiliency
– Connect with something greater than oneself
• Expressive Arts
– Release energy outward
– Color, Dance, Sing, Declare
– Enhance well-being
– Uplift your spirits!
6. Benefits of Meditation
• Increases ability to relax
• Decreases psychological symptoms
• Reduces pain levels
• Increases ability to cope with chronic pain
7. Benefits of Meditation
• Encourages greater enthusiasm for life
• Improves self-esteem
• Increases ability to cope more effectively with stressful
situations that are beyond one’s control
•Stress Reduction Clinic, University of Mass. Medical Center
9. Benefits of Expressive Arts
• Enhances coping skills
• Helps manage stress
• Strengthens sense of self
• Enhances quality of life
• Allows for communication when words just aren’t
enough
15. The Rules of Writing:
Natalie Goldberg, Writing Down the Bones
1.Keep your hand moving.
2.Don’t cross out.
3.Don’t worry about spelling, punctuation
grammar.
4.Lose control.
5.Don’t think. Don’t get logical.
6.Go for the jugular. (“If something comes up that is scary or
naked, dive right into it. It probably has lots of energy.”)
16. Getting Started
“Just as a good rain clears the air, a good
writing day clears the psyche.” ― Julia
Cameron, The Right to Write: An Invitation
and Initiation into the Writing Life
Get started !
After this webinar !
Fill in the blanks:
As the ____ comes and goes, I _____.
26. Self-Care as PracticeSelf-Care as Practice
with Contemplative &with Contemplative &
Expressive ArtsExpressive Arts
Care for your body,
mind and spirit
Create a “sanctuary,”
an “inner-home”
Practice resilience and
renewal throughout the
day
31. Resources
1. The Caregiver’s Tao Te Ching, William& Nancy
Martin, New World Library, 2011
2. Seasons of Care™ Meditations, Transitional Keys,
2011
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/transitionalkeys
3. Full Catastrophe Living, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Delacorte
Press, 1990
32. To join our mail list for weekly
wellness reminders:
info@TransitionalKeys.org
914.517.5353
KATHY Centering and Breath! Take a moment to center yourself now… in this moment… breathe gently… inhale and exhale… breathe deep and gently, reaching the points of tension… the directions and distractions… let them leave with the out-breathe… and again… with the in and the out… notice your center as you catch your breath… We invite you to “catch your breath!” anytime, and many times… … before you enter the room of your patient or next client… … before you return a call following up to a complaint, or perhaps to touch bases knowing someone received bad news… … when someone asks you to do ‘just one more thing’… … take a couple moments to “catch your breath!”
KATHY Centering and Breath! Take a moment to center yourself now… in this moment… breathe gently… inhale and exhale… breathe deep and gently, reaching the points of tension… the directions and distractions… let them leave with the out-breathe… and again… with the in and the out… notice your center as you catch your breath… We invite you to “catch your breath!” anytime, and many times… … before you enter the room of your patient or next client… … before you return a call following up to a complaint, or perhaps to touch bases knowing someone received bad news… … when someone asks you to do ‘just one more thing’… … take a couple moments to “catch your breath!”
KATHY Centering and Breath! Take a moment to center yourself now… in this moment… breathe gently… inhale and exhale… breathe deep and gently, reaching the points of tension… the directions and distractions… let them leave with the out-breathe… and again… with the in and the out… notice your center as you catch your breath… We invite you to “catch your breath!” anytime, and many times… … before you enter the room of your patient or next client… … before you return a call following up to a complaint, or perhaps to touch bases knowing someone received bad news… … when someone asks you to do ‘just one more thing’… … take a couple moments to “catch your breath!”
