Hospitals tend to suck the energy out of you - have you noticed? Yet you want and need to regularly spend time with a loved one, who is a patient. How to survive?
1. Limit each stay to 2 1/2 hours. Then take a long break.
2. On your break: Go for a walk; treat yourself to a favourite snack; go for a latte.
3. Go home at dinner time. Have dinner in your own space.
4. Breath at all times - deeply!
5. Each day: Find time to meditate if you practice meditation; listen to soothing music; or just stare at the sky.
6. Keep up your exercise routine. If you don't have one, then find a way: walk, ride a bike, dance to the radio - anything! Exercise reduces stress.
7. Get enough sleep.
8. Do not touch anything in a hospital bathroom. Use latex gloves if you have to.
9. Always have a good book with you. If you are inclined to doing crafts, have a project with you, i.e knitting.
10. Let go of worrying: If you can do something about the situation, then there is no need to worry - is there? You are already doing what you can.
If you can't do anything, then there's no use in worrying, is there? It's beyond your control.
Therefore: Replace your worrying with a feeling of compassion and caring and breath - let the worry go.
