S3 Ep 1 - The 5-Second Pause That Can Save Your Sanity: A Caregiver’s Secret Weapon

Welcome back to the Caregiver Secrets Podcast! As many of you know, this is the show where we share practical advice, heartfelt stories, and encouragement for those who give their all to care for loved ones. Thank you for listening today. I want you to know that you’re not alone on this journey, and together, we’ll share the joys and challenges of caregiving with compassion and support.

As always, let me remind you: this is not medical, financial, or health advice. Please consult with the appropriate professionals for specific concerns. My role is to inform and support you as best I can, but the actions you take are totally up to you. With that said, let’s get to work.

Season 3 is here, and this time, we’re focusing on “Mastering the Moments: Practical Strategies for Everyday Caregiving.” If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, exhausted, or like you’re hanging by a thread, this season is for you. We’ll explore strategies to help you navigate dementia care with confidence, grace, and resilience. And today, we’re kicking things off with a crucial skill: the power of the pause.

Let me tell you a story that illustrates this important concept. Maria is a devoted daughter caring for her father, George, who has advanced dementia. She never expected to be in this role, but life had other plans. One evening, after a long day of work and errands, she walked into the house to find her father rifling through the trash, looking for his “lost wallet.” It was the third time that week. Frustration bubbled up inside her, and she could feel the words forming in her throat—words she might regret. But then, she remembered something she had read: “Pause. Breathe. Reset.”

Maria closed her eyes for just five seconds and took a deep breath. One… two… three… four… five. Instead of snapping, she walked over, placed a gentle hand on her father’s shoulder, and said, “Dad, let’s check your jacket. Maybe it’s there.”

That one pause changed everything. George’s anxious expression softened. They found the wallet in his pocket, and a meltdown was avoided. More importantly, Maria didn’t end the night feeling guilty for yelling. That’s the power of the pause.

Pausing isn’t just about willpower—it’s about neuroscience. Research from Dr. Daniel Siegel shows that intentional pauses and deep breathing activate the prefrontal cortex, the brain’s center for rational thinking, helping us regulate emotions instead of reacting impulsively. When we take a moment to breathe, we reduce activity in the amygdala—the brain’s fear and stress center—making it easier to stay calm in tough situations.

In fact, Harvard Medical School research shows that deep breathing increases Heart Rate Variability (HRV), which is linked to greater stress resilience and emotional control. Simply put, a well-timed pause doesn’t just feel good—it changes how our body responds to stress.

Here are some simple ways to integrate the pause into your caregiving routine:

• 4-7-8 Breathing: Inhale for four seconds, hold for seven, exhale for eight.
• Box Breathing: Inhale for four, hold for four, exhale for four, hold for four.
• Mindful Counting: Inhale to the count of five, exhale to the count of five.
• Progressive Muscle Relaxation: Tense and relax different muscle groups while breathing deeply.

Try one of these the next time you feel frustration rising. It might not fix everything, but it will give you space to choose your response rather than react out of exhaustion.

Caregiving is stressful—there’s no way around it. Studies show that 32% of dementia caregivers experience symptoms of depression, and much of this stems from the emotional toll of constant stress. But small moments of self-regulation can make a big difference. Even scripture reminds us of the power of stillness: “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).

When we pause, we create space for grace—not just for our loved ones, but for ourselves. We acknowledge that we’re human, that we get tired, that we struggle. And in that pause, we find the strength to continue.

So, the next time your loved one does something frustrating—whether it’s hiding their slippers in the freezer or insisting they just had breakfast at 10 p.m.—try pausing. Take a breath. Count to five. And then respond with the patience and love that brought you on this journey in the first place.

I’d love to hear from you. Have you ever used a pause to shift a tough moment? Share your story in the comments or email me. And if this episode resonated with you, don’t forget to subscribe and share it with another caregiver who might need it today.

And don’t forget to join our Facebook community at bit.ly/CaregiverSecretsOnFacebook, where we share stories, tips, and encouragement. Together, we can build a village of support and make this journey a little lighter.

Finally, I’d love for you to grab a free copy of my book, Get Risen. It’s written by a family caregiver for caregivers, and you can get it at bit.ly/Get Risen.

 

Until next time, remember: you are doing an incredible job. Breathe, reset, and keep going. You’ve got this.

Thank you for being here, and welcome to Season 3 of the Caregiver Secrets Podcast!