Forty-Eight Mental Breaks for Caregivers

Caregiving takes a lot of time. Even if you had spare time to daydream in the first place, it’s probably gone now. However, you must give yourself a mental break once in a while.

The following list is intended to make you think back to a simpler time in your past, and possibly one in your future. Use them sparingly (one at a time), or be a glutton (overdose on all of them at the same time).

The goal here is to make you feel better. If you really want to make yourself feel better, use this as a “to do” list. Please pass the list on to others who may need it.

  1. Falling in love
  2. Laughing so hard your face hurts
  3. A hot shower
  4. No lines at the Super Wal-Mart
  5. A special glance
  6. Getting mail-other than bills or junk mail
  7. Taking a drive on a pretty road
  8. Hearing your favorite song on the radio
  9. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside
  10. Hot towels out of the dryer
  11. Finding the sweater you want is on sale for half price
  12. Chocolate milkshake. (or vanilla!)
  13. A long distance phone call
  14. A bubble bath
  15. Giggling
  16. A good conversation
  17. The beach
  18. Finding a $20 bill in your coat from last winter
  19. Laughing at yourself
  20. Midnight phone calls that last for hours
  21. Running through sprinklers
  22. Laughing for absolutely no reason at all
  23. Having someone tell you that you're beautiful
  24. Laughing at an inside joke
  25. Friends
  26. Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you
  27. Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep
  28. Your first kiss
  29. Making new friends or spending time with old ones
  30. Playing with a new puppy
  31. Having someone play with your hair
  32. Sweet dreams
  33. Hot chocolate
  34. Road trips with friends
  35. Swinging on swings
  36. Wrapping presents under the Christmas tree while eating cookies and drinking eggnog
  37. Finding song lyrics so you can sing along without feeling stupid
  38. Going to a really good concert
  39. Winning a really competitive game
  40. Making chocolate chip cookies
  41. Spending time with close friends
  42. Seeing smiles and hearing laughter from those friends...
  43. Holding hands with someone you care about
  44. Running into an old friend and realizing that some things (good or bad) never change
  45. Riding the best roller coasters over and over
  46. Watching the expression on someone's face as they open a much desired present from you
  47. Watching the sunrise
  48. Getting out of bed every morning and thanking God for another beautiful day....