Most of us want to be kind, relaxed and loving people. We want to be wise and patient parents, understanding spouses, and good friends. But how can we be any of those when every nerve becomes so raw we feel we’re about to “lose it?”

How Caretakers Can Take Care of Themselves

Caretakers are expected to give of themselves on command, and to give sincerely with warmth and empathy in the myriad of situations that arise when working with people. And in sharing their heart so openly, they are often accused of a variety of things – especially of being co-dependent.

However, if you are in a care-taking position, you can avoid the trap of codependency without giving up compassion, by cultivating the power of your center, your true essence. This comes with practice, and a few tried-and-true tools to help you simply  r e l a x into yourself while staying in the moment.

It’s not enough to relax when we are out of the office or when we put our feet up at the end of the day. If we can learn to respond to stress in a positive way, and right in the moment it’s happening, we can nip it in the bud before it creates problems in our bodies, minds, and relationships.

Things You Can Do to Stay in Your Center Under Stress

Learning how to be patient, calm, and kind is a spiritual skill developed over time, but you can begin practicing it in the very next stressful moment you encounter, and it takes less than 3 minutes. Try these simple techniques next time you are upset, agitated, or feeling pressured:

  • Breathe only through your left nostril (closing your right nostril with your index finger) for twenty-six long, slow and deep breaths to calm yourself down in any tense situation. When you feel calm after twenty six breaths, you can decide how to deal with whatever situation requires your action.
  • If you feel the heat of anger rising inside you, drink a full 8 ounces of water immediately.
  • When you feel the pressure to impulsively relieve your stress, take a long deep breath in and hold it as long as you can. Repeat this 7 times, holding each breath to the maximum.

You do not have to let your emotions rule you. These simple techniques will allow you to tap into the energy of calm and tranquil inner peace that always exists at your center. Continue trying these techniques for a full forty days, and they will start to become the type of habit that will help you shift even the most stressful situations.

If you’d like additional help, consider a coaching session with myself, or with another coach you trust: Check Availability. No one has ever achieved their goals without support from experts. Another option is to sign up for the Energetic Reprogramming course which helps counter-balance incoming stress energetically, and raise your vibration, so you can naturally start from a more calm, balanced place.