Yoga helps Caregivers Stress

As the caregiver for my father, husband and son, finding ways to stay physically and emotionally healthy are critical.  Yoga has been my saving grace.   Not only does yoga help me stay strong, it clears my mind and helps me release the stress of the day.  Before you say “I don’t have time…” trust me, it can be done at home in as little as 10 minutes.  You can hide somewhere in the house for that amount of time! Here are 5 reasons why yoga helps caregivers:

1. Improves Cognitive Functioning

Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles discovered that meditation from yoga could help lower a caregiver’s depression and improve their cognitive functioning.  This is especially important because researchers believe that caregivers are known to have an increased risk of depression and devotional distress, and yoga can help them cope with this.  With better cognitive functioning, caregivers (especially those of dementia patients) can focus on the task at hand.

1. Promotes deep relaxation

Yoga promotes deep relaxation through deep breathing, meditation and exercises called postures and poses that stretch the body.  Yoga also makes it easier for a caregiver to fall asleep, which helps a caregiver relax as well. Yoga allows a caregiver to renew his/herself and “recharge” the batteries that enables people to go back to his/her caregiver situation with a refreshing perspective.

1. Enhances concentration and mood

Yoga boosts oxygen levels to the brain, which ultimately decreases chances of depression and improves a caregiver’s mood.  A caregiver’s mood is very important when caring for a loved one.  A study performed by Boston University School of Medicine and McLean Hospital reported that doing one hour of asanas- a sequence of standing, sitting balancing poses helped people raise their levels of brain chemical GABA (low levels are linked with depression) by 27 percent.

1. Allows for peaceful, alone time

Caregivers are a very important part of the healing process of a patient and they deserve to do something to take care of themselves.  Yoga is a mind-body practice that can help caregivers achieve peacefulness of body and mind and is the perfect activity for caregivers to partake in to clear their mind after a long day.  Being a caregiver is a 24/7 job and there are ups and downs everyday, but yoga can be private, independent time for a caregiver to enjoy.

1. Improves Fitness

Many studies have been done that proves that regardless of age everyone should participate in some form of exercise.  Yoga can lead to improved balance, flexibility, range of motion and strength.  This way, caregivers are less likely to injure themselves in their daily activities of caring for a loved one.  Doing an activity that improves fitness would also improve a caregiver’s mood, as people release endorphins when they are active, ultimately helping a caregiver to stay positive.