Free Stress Relief Tools

On this page you will find effective, quick and easy relaxation strategies!

How stress management can help your parent and you
Calming recorded guided meditations you can listen to over and over
A gallery of stress management practices. Select what appeals to you!
Simple soothing ideas for when you just can’t relax

Soothe yourself and relax your parent

If you need a break from stress, you are not alone. In a 2015 survey of people caring for family members, 42% requested assistance with coping and managing stress for themselves and their loved ones. (Source: Caregiving in the US 2015).

Helping your aging parents is not for the fainthearted. Nor is getting older. Here’s how you and your parents can take a break from the stress while developing greater resiliency to the challenges you face.

With less stress, you and your parent can

Enjoy better quality sleep
Feel calmer and in more control
Mindfully use your interpersonal skills
Be more resilient to life’s challenges
Allow your natural compassion to shine through (rather than irritability and anger!)
benefit from more focus and better attention span
Enhance your creativity, both in the arts and in problem solving
Support a loving and compassionate approach to life…and to caring for aging parents

Free guided breathing meditations are an easy way to relax – just listen!

Most people find that guided breathing meditations are very relaxing and use them comfortably. For people with post traumatic stress disorder or seizures or if you take medication especially for diabetes, thyroid, hypertension, anxiety or sleep, there are some considerations about meditation so please check with your doctor before trying wellness practices. Click here to learn more in my blog

Fragrant breathing meditation

Calm and centered breathing meditation

Count While Breathing guided meditation

Gallery of Relaxation Ideas

Scroll through for some brilliant stress management suggestions. Some of the images have links to awesome resources!

Soothing posts from “Calm and Centered”

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If you can’t relax, that’s ok- simply try one of these soothing ideas to regain some composure and find a bit of peace.

Sometimes, attaining a state of relaxation seems impossible. Even if you know the benefits – quality sleep, resistance to infection, less muscle pain, better problem solving – you cannot get to a relaxed state from your stressed state. Fortunately, even if relaxing seems unattainable, soothing yourself can reduce your stress level by a degree or perhaps two.

Sometimes simple soothing strategies are not going to meet your needs. At those times, get expert help. Call your doctor, your therapist, your pastor, or get yourself to an emergency room. Be safe.

Soothe yourself when you have had a difficult day, have too much on your plate, or perhaps are experiencing a period of intense change. You deserve it.

Caregivers, retreat!

In a stressful situation, especially a never-ending stressful situation, try to retreat and regroup. Soothe yourself and return to reality with more resilience to stay centered instead of stressed.

Walking In and Out of Grief

Walking a labyrinth may sooth your grief. Here’s how.

Soothe Yourself with a Blink of your Eyes

No matter if your screen is on a laptop, mobile phone, or tablet, your eyes likely need a stress break and so do you. Here’s how, and what’s in it for you.

Alone at Home for the Holidays

Stuck at home for the December holidays? Be kind to yourself. Here’s 25 more things to do during your personal spa day at home, for body, mind and spirit.

Thanksgiving Spa Day, at Home

Are you stuck at home this Thanksgiving? Be kind to yourself. With twenty five at-home-spa ideas, make it a day to remember! Blog #12 in the Soothing Series: Gentle ways to regain your composure and find some inner peace

Be Calm: Reduce Cellphone Bings

Blog #11 in the Soothing Series: Gentle ways to regain your composure and find some inner peace. Cellphone bings and buzzes interrupt sleep, activities, train of thoughts, quiet time, recreational time, and family time. Here are four ways to set boundaries with your mobile devices so you can be calm and centered.

How do I live in this crazy world?

This crazy world certainly makes it difficult to remain centered. Connecting to what we find meaningful is centering. Living meaningfully balances the chaos around us. When it’s hard to recall what is important, contemplative prompts help. Be centered by learning 3 simple steps to recall what’s meaningful to you – by using contemplative prompts.

The work from home frustration antidote

Work from home frustrations abound and keep you from finishing what you need to do. Professionals are working from home with less tech support and without their colleagues – but with their families and roommates. Family caregivers are trying to work while caring for children or elder parents. What is the antidote to frustration?

Your next step – learn to avoid the causes of stress

These self-guided free tools on this page help you to manage stress.

If you want to avoid the causes of stress while caring for your aging parent, and enjoy more quality time with your parent, your next step is Time to Care.

Time to Care