It can be quite stressful and exhausting to care for a person with Angelman syndrome, a disease characterized by a range of intellectual and physical disabilities, including limited speech capabilities, seizures and difficulties with movement.
A practice called mindfulness may help you cope with your day-to-day caregiving responsibilities.
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is the practice of being aware of your thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surroundings. Rather than rehashing the past or imagining the future, mindfulness means tuning in to what you are sensing at the moment.
The Institute for Mindfulness-Based Approaches offers a stress-reduction program. This is based on intensive mindfulness training. It teaches that you can’t always change your circumstances, but you can choose your response to them. By being in touch with present thoughts, sensations, and emotions, you can gain a different perspective on what you’re going through.
Practicing mindfulness each day can help you perform your duties without becoming overwhelmed or overly stressed. It can help keep you grounded and at peace, while allowing you to be of service to those in your care.
Examples of structured mindfulness
Examples of structured mindfulness include body scan, sitting, and walking meditations.
In body scan meditation, you lie on your back and…
This article was sourced from Angelman Syndrome News.