The benefits of yoga for healing can play an essential role in the daily lives of people battling illness. It is not just beneficial to patients. However, it is also helpful for caregivers, who assist them with the physical and mental stress of suffering from illness. The most effective, however, is the opportunity for caregivers and patients to participate in yoga as a team. The experience shared by yoga can help caregivers and patients ensure their health, become more connected with one another, and enhance the quality of their lives.
Why is Yoga Important for Caregivers
Caring for someone else can be exhausting and stressful, and caregivers have also been found to have more heart disease, depression, and other illnesses due to this. Caregivers require a long-lasting approach to caring for themselves and their patients to combat or avoid these illnesses.
The more a caregiver feels fully energized and energized, the greater the energy they can give to their patient. However, it can be difficult for many caregivers to find the time to recharge. While it is true that yoga is known as a great option for caregivers but it’s difficult for them to attend the class due to their caregiving responsibilities.
Patients and Caregivers Can Do Yoga Together
A study that was conducted recently at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center found that yoga with a partner improves the health and well-being of both patients and caregivers. Study participants were patients suffering from high-grade glioma as well as their caregivers who took part at least three yoga classes per week, which equates to 12 sessions in total. Researchers evaluated symptoms and the quality of life as measured by self-assessments by the participants.
The study’s author, Kathrin Milbury, Ph.D. She said caregivers are susceptible to the same symptoms as patients, including sleep disturbances, fatigue, and anxiety. She was keen to explore an intervention that would aid caregivers and patients in dealing with cancer.
The study’s results were generally positive, and most participants agreed that the practice is “very useful.” The symptoms of patients as well as caregivers were reduced.
Maryland-based Registered Nurse Cathy Rees developed an identical solution, offering classes for patients and their caregivers to allow both to benefit from yoga. Her experience with yoga classes in local seniors’ centers prompted her to create “Care Partner Yoga,” an incredibly gentle class designed to help caregivers and patients stretch, lessen stress, and enhance overall well-being. The class is offered for free by Columbia Yoga.
Another option for caregivers and patients who would like to practice yoga with each other can be found at Hope Connections to Cancer Support. This non-profit organization is based in Bethesda, Maryland. The organization provides free programs across the USA to help patients manage those who suffer from cancer. The programs, including mediation and yoga, are accessible to cancer patients and their family members, family members, and caregivers.
Partner Yoga for Patients and Caregivers
Dealing with mental or physical illness, whether as a caregiver or patient, can be extremely stressful and challenging. Here are a few easy activities that patients and caregivers could perform together to recharge their energy, relax and reduce anxiety. The exercises can be performed anytime during the day and don’t need any time commitment:
Pay attention to the breath: Place one hand on the belly and the other in the chest space. If that’s impossible, let your arms rest where they feel at ease. Just feel your breath flow through and out. Pay attention to the subtle movements breath makes between the chest and belly.
Extend and fold. While sitting on chairs close to one another, Inhale to lift your arms over the head. Exhale to fold the arms forward comfortably and let the arms slide to the feet or legs. Repeat five times.
Guided Meditation: Practice a guided yoga posture, complete body relaxation, or meditation with others. Choose one you enjoy on our page on meditation basics or by searching YouTube.
Just taking a moment to take a breath and pause can aid in calming your nervous system and get the body back to a state of relaxation and calm. In recovery mode rather than “fight or flight” mode is vital for people suffering from illness or pain and their caregivers, as it lets the mind and body return to what is important to heal.