Dementia Caregiver's Need Meditation

A new research study reports that dementia caregivers can reduce stress by adding simple meditation to their daily routine.

The Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation in collaboration with UCLA's Psychiatric Department prepared a study that tested the theory that meditation can be used to successfully reduce "stress response and improve cognitive function in older dementia caregivers".  The study was headed by researcher Dr. Helen Lavretsky of UCLA.

I know you are saying to yourself:  meditation?  I don't even have time to do other things!  Meditation is defined by MedTimes as, "a self-directed practice for relaxing the boy and the mind".  It obviously has been shown to have benefits but how to you do it?

There are many websites, books, CD's, etc out there to help you get started but the basics are:

1. Find a few minutes in your busy day that will have no interruptions, start with 5 minutes
2. Sit comfortably in a chair or on the floor.  Sitting is better than laying to avoid sleep. 
3. The tough part:  focus on clearing and quieting the mind.  

It's tough because our minds constantly bring in new thoughts. Some people try to focus on one word or one view in their mind to help them clear the unwanted intrusive thoughts.  The thoughts will come but you have to acknowledge them and push them away.  Your grocery list can wait; this time is for you to recharge.   

One thing I've heard is to not give up, keep at it and eventually you will see benefits.  Obviously someone thought dementia caregiver's need stress release (we could have told them that!) so why not try it?

Let us know how you do!