It is well documented how the constant demands of caregiving can take a toll on one's well-being, particularly the body — a foundation of our strength and resilience. Several years ago a friend introduced me to somatic practices as I was caring for my aging parents simultaneously. By slowly integrating somatics into my caregiving routines, I learned that I could enhance my body awareness, manage stress more effectively, and improve my overall health and well-being. Small changes in body awareness led me to significant improvements in my overall wellness, enabling me to improve all aspects of my life, not just caring for my aging parents. But what exactly is somatics?

Because of the lack of care I put into myself, along with the demands of the care I gave, my body became affected. As much as I allowed the wound to be where the light enters, I also had to acknowledge that my body has stored some of the trauma and stress, and I needed to learn how to clear it to regain my full vitality.

The death of anyone for whom we have cared will leave a mark – the nature of the relationship will determine the extent of the scar.