--- title: Stress-Reducing Methods for Caregivers description: Due to the needs of the spouse, child or friend they are caring for, caregivers often have little to no time to take care of their own mental health needs... image: https://blog.chsc.org/hubfs/iStock_000023030740_Large.jpg --- - CHSC Services & Programs - Speech-Language & Literacy - [Services for Adults](https://www.chsc.org/speech-language/speech-language-services-for-adults/) - [Services for Children](https://www.chsc.org/speech-language/speech-language-literacy-services-for-children/) - [Contract Services](https://www.chsc.org/speech-language/community-contract-services-speech-language-literacy/) - [Project ELLA](https://www.chsc.org/speech-language/project-ella/) - Hearing Services - [Hearing Evaluations and Testing](https://www.chsc.org/hearing-services/hearing-evaluations-and-testing/) - [Hearing Aids & Other Hearing Services](https://www.chsc.org/hearing-services/hearing-aids-other-hearing-services/) - [Early Intervention Service](https://www.chsc.org/hearing-services/early-intervention-service/) - 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CHSC Services & Programs - Speech-Language & Literacy - [Services for Adults](https://www.chsc.org/speech-language/speech-language-services-for-adults/) - [Services for Children](https://www.chsc.org/speech-language/speech-language-literacy-services-for-children/) - [Contract Services](https://www.chsc.org/speech-language/community-contract-services-speech-language-literacy/) - [Project ELLA](https://www.chsc.org/speech-language/project-ella/) - Hearing Services - [Hearing Evaluations and Testing](https://www.chsc.org/hearing-services/hearing-evaluations-and-testing/) - [Hearing Aids & Other Hearing Services](https://www.chsc.org/hearing-services/hearing-aids-other-hearing-services/) - [Early Intervention Service](https://www.chsc.org/hearing-services/early-intervention-service/) - Language Interpreting - [Language Interpreting Options](https://www.chsc.org/language-interpreting-services/american-sign-language-interpreting-services/) - [American Sign Language Interpreting](https://www.chsc.org/language-interpreting-services/american-sign-language-interpreting/) - [Spoken Language Interpreting](https://www.chsc.org/language-interpreting-services/spoken-language-interpreting/) - [Book an American Sign Language Interpreter](https://www.chsc.org/language-interpreting-services/book-an-american-sign-language-interpreter/) - Community Center for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing - [Welcome to CCDHH](https://www.chsc.org/community-services/welcome-to-ccdhh/) - [Vocational Rehabilitation Services](https://www.chsc.org/community-services/vocational-rehabilitation-services/) - [Support Services and Advocacy](https://www.chsc.org/community-services/support-services-and-advocacy/) - [Ohio Clinician Mental Health Training](https://www.chsc.org/community-services/ohio-clinician-mental-health-training/) - [American Sign Language (ASL) Classes](https://www.chsc.org/community-services/american-sign-language-asl-classes/) - Locations - [University Circle](https://www.chsc.org/contact/main-center-university-circle-location) - [Broadview Heights](https://www.chsc.org/contact/broadview-heights-location) - [Lyndhurst](https://www.chsc.org/contact/lyndhurst-location) - [Westlake](https://www.chsc.org/contact/westlake-location) - [Community Center for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing](https://www.chsc.org/contact/community-center-for-the-deaf-hard-of-hearing) - Giving Back - [Ways to Give](https://www.chsc.org/giving/ways-to-give/) - [Corporate Philanthropy](https://www.chsc.org/giving/ways-to-give/corporate-philanthropy/) - [Fundraising & Events](https://www.chsc.org/giving/ways-to-give/fundraising-events/) - About Us - [About CHSC](https://www.chsc.org/about/about-chsc/) - [Board of Directors](https://www.chsc.org/about/board-of-directors/) - [Leadership](https://www.chsc.org/about/leadership/) - [CHSC Staff](https://www.chsc.org/about/chsc-staff/) - [Join the CHSC Team](https://www.chsc.org/about/careers/) - [New Partners of CHSC](https://www.chsc.org/about/new-partners-of-chsc/) - [Volunteer at CHSC](https://www.chsc.org/about/volunteer/) - [News & Events](https://www.chsc.org/about/events-calendar/) - [Blog](https://www.chsc.org/about/chsc-blog/) - [Strategic Plan](https://wwwchsc.org/about/strategic-plan/) - [Community Partners](https://www.chsc.org/about/community-partners/) - [Our History](https://www.chsc.org/about/our-history/) - [Ask CHSC](https://www.chsc.org/ask-chsc/)   ![](https://www.chsc.org/images/uploads/general/dv_header_copy.png) ## Welcome to the Daily Victories Blog This blog will focus on sharing content and ideas for those at home recovering from an acquired communication disorder. Our caregiver support group members will post content and ideas to achieve victories each and every day. We hope that you find these posts valuable. We'd love to hear from you. Please email [tbiller@chsc.org](mailto:tbiller@chsc.org) with any comments or suggestions that you may have. # Stress-Reducing Methods for Caregivers [Tracy Biller, M.A., CCC-SLP Speech-Language Pathologist; Adult Services Coordinator](https://blog.chsc.org/dailyvictories/author/tracy-biller-m-a-ccc-slp-speech-language-pathologist-adult-services-coordinator) | Posted on January 7, 2019 ![iStock_000023030740_Large](https://blog.chsc.org/hs-fs/hubfs/iStock_000023030740_Large.jpg?width=278&name=iStock_000023030740_Large.jpg)Due to the needs of the spouse, child or friend they are caring for, caregivers often have little to no time to take care of their own mental health needs. In a recent CHSC Caregiver Group meeting, the discussion focused on the topic of what some of our caregivers have tried - and enjoyed - to reduce their stress levels. One member expressed that she has enjoyed receiving Reiki. Reiki is a Japanese technique that helps reduce stress by channeling energy through specific hand placement on the body. If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy. The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words - "Rei" which means "God's Wisdom or the Higher Power" and "Ki" which is "life force energy".  Some caregiver members they practice mindfulness or use meditation apps on their devices. What is “mindfulness” you ask? I asked the same question! Mindfulness is when an individual focuses his or her attention on the present moment. It also involves acceptance, meaning that we pay attention to our thoughts and feelings without judging them—without believing, for instance, that there’s a “right” or “wrong” way to think or feel in a given moment. When we practice mindfulness, our thoughts tune into what we’re sensing in the present moment rather than rehashing the past or imagining the future.” There are many mindfulness and meditation apps available. I have personally used an app called Headspace on my phone, which sends me daily notifications on my phone to remind me to take three minutes out of my day to practice relaxation techniques. If not for the alert, I would likely forget to do it! Here is a link to an article called “Best Meditation Apps of 2018” ([www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/top-meditation-iphone-android-apps](http://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/top-meditation-iphone-android-apps)). Some are free (or start out that way) and some that offer a paid subscription.   There are so many options to choose from to promote relaxation and reduce stress! Whether you choose to meditate, do deep breathing exercises, listen to music, exercise or practice yoga, it is crucial that you take a few moments out of your day to take care of YOU! Members of our caregiver group agree that the support system they have developed as part of this group has also been amazing - so consider joining us! Tags: [Support](https://blog.chsc.org/dailyvictories/tag/support), [Caregiving](https://blog.chsc.org/dailyvictories/tag/caregiving) ### Blog Categories - [Caregiving (4)](https://blog.chsc.org/dailyvictories/tag/caregiving) - [Support (4)](https://blog.chsc.org/dailyvictories/tag/support) - [Brain Injury (2)](https://blog.chsc.org/dailyvictories/tag/brain-injury) - [Communication (2)](https://blog.chsc.org/dailyvictories/tag/communication) - [Stroke (2)](https://blog.chsc.org/dailyvictories/tag/stroke) - [Language (1)](https://blog.chsc.org/dailyvictories/tag/language) - [Speech (1)](https://blog.chsc.org/dailyvictories/tag/speech) see all ### Authors - [Tracy Biller, M.A., CCC-SLP Speech-Language Pathologist; Adult Services Coordinator (2)](https://blog.chsc.org/dailyvictories/author/tracy-biller-m-a-ccc-slp-speech-language-pathologist-adult-services-coordinator) - [Akilah Porter (2)](https://blog.chsc.org/dailyvictories/author/akilah-porter) [Request an Appointment](http://www.chsc.org/contact) [Please Donate Your support means so much](https://transactions.chsc.org/CampaignForm/CHSC/Cleveland+Hearing+and+Speech+Center) [Book an Interpreter](http://www.chsc.org/american-sign-language-interpreting-services/interpreting-services-for-individuals/) ### SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER Receive CHSC news and events and other important communication updates directly to your inbox. - [![Facebook](https://blog.chsc.org/hubfs/CHSC-Nov2017/Images/facebook.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/clevelandhearingandspeechcenter) - [![X](https://blog.chsc.org/hubfs/CHSC-Nov2017/Images/x.svg)](https://twitter.com/clevehearspeech) - [![LinkedIn](https://blog.chsc.org/hubfs/CHSC-Nov2017/Images/linkedin.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/cleveland-hearing-%26-speech-center/) - [![YouTube](https://blog.chsc.org/hubfs/CHSC-Nov2017/Images/youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/user/chscdevelopment?feature=watch) - [![Flickr](https://blog.chsc.org/hubfs/CHSC-Nov2017/Images/flickr.svg)](https://www.flickr.com/photos/clevelandhearingandspeech) ##### Menu - [Audiology](http://www.chsc.org/audiology) - [Hearing Aids](http://www.chsc.org/hearing-aids) - [Speech & Language](http://www.chsc.org/speech-language) - [ASL Interpreting](http://www.chsc.org/american-sign-language-interpreting-services) - [Community Center (CCDHH)](http://www.chsc.org/community-center-for-the-deaf-hard-of-hearing) - [Resources](http://www.chsc.org/resources) - [About](http://www.chsc.org/about/about-chsc) - [Giving](http://www.chsc.org/giving) - [Events](http://www.chsc.org/ways-to-give/fundraising-events) - [Contact](http://www.chsc.org/contact) - [Schedule an Appointment](http://www.chsc.org/contact) - [Donate](https://transactions.chsc.org/CampaignForm/CHSC/Cleveland+Hearing+and+Speech+Center) ![CARF](https://blog.chsc.org/hubfs/CHSC-Nov2017/Images/carf-logo.png) ##### Accreditations and Affiliations - [Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities](http://carf.org) - [Certified Medicare and Medicaid Provider](https://www.cms.gov/) - [National Association of Speech and Hearing Centers](http://www.nashc.net/) - [Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf](http://www.rid.org/) - [Case Western Reserve University](https://case.edu/) - [United Way of Greater Cleveland](https://www.unitedwaycleveland.org/) ##### Contact Information 11635 Euclid Ave. Cleveland, OH 44106 Voice: (216) 231-8787 Appt: (216) 325-7570 Fax: (216) 231-7141 [info@chsc.org](mailto:info@chsc.org) ![CARF](https://blog.chsc.org/hubfs/CHSC-Nov2017/Images/carf-logo.png) - [Corporate Information](http://www.chsc.org/corporate-information) - [HIPAA](http://www.chsc.org/hipaa-cleveland-hearing-speech-center) - [Privacy Policy](http://www.chsc.org/privacy-policy) - [Terms & Conditions](http://www.chsc.org/terms-and-conditions) - 501c3 Non-Profit © 2017 Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center. 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