Staying Cool Under Pressure When Caring for a Loved One

Senior Care in Needham, MA – Practicing these Stress-Reducing Activities can Promote a more Relaxed Senior Care Atmosphere

Have you ever noticed certain people have the ability to stay calm, cool, and collected even under the most strenuous situations while others seem to fall apart at the first sign of stress, anxiety, or a complicated situation? Finding a way to “stay cool under pressure” when providing care for a loved one is a great way to not only promote positive care, but to also take care of yourself. When you become overwhelmed with stress and anxiety by being a family caregiver, it can affect almost every aspect of your life, whether you realize it at the time or not.

There are a few things that may help you, the family caregiver, to stay calm under pressure, whether that pressure is from providing care or just life in general.

Develop calming techniques.

Each person will respond to strategies differently. There are a variety of calming techniques that you can use, so it’s best to try several to determine which one is most effective. One of the most traditional ones is to close your eyes, inhale slowly through your nose and then exhale slowly out of your mouth. Whatever calming technique you find works best for you, use that one. Whenever you feel stressed, angry, or frustrated, take a moment, if possible, go to a quiet place and practice.

Take a moment and see things from the other person’s perspective.

When we are generally in the heat of the moment, it’s difficult to see things from another perspective. You might think you are completely right, and you may very well be, but when you feel tension building in your mind, in your body, or anywhere else, it’s a good idea to take a moment and try to understand what the other person is saying or doing.

This not only gives you a chance to separate from the situation, at least from your emotional connection to it, it may provide you with insight to see more clearly.

Practice.

A great way to get better at handling stressful situations can be to practice your response to them in private. Stand in front of a mirror, imagine a hypothetical situation (or recall a real one that occurred recently) and practice a calmer, more rational reaction to it.

When you can see yourself reacting in a calm and collected manner, even under emergency situations, it will help you stay cool when the pressure is high.