End of the Journey Week 128: Ease the Body to Calm the Mind.

Last week I shared that a client and I are working on a path for her to find peace. This week, I want to share more about my years of offering comfort care to terminally ill patients. Physical comfort matters. Pain control, gentle touch, soft music, familiar scents, and a quiet environment can help the nervous system to settle. 

Slow breathing is helpful. Take deep breaths for a slow count of four, hold it for four, and exhale to a count of four. The slower the count, the greater the benefit. This can be useful for relief of physical symptoms, but it also works during periods of anxiety or stress. 

Other helpful symptom-control measures: a warm blanket, ice packs or heat packs, and favorite music in the background. And, for Lee, Sampson on the lap was the cherry on top. 

It is important that you be honest with your provider so that adequate medication can be available for use. It is an unfortunate fact that many people do not ask for the relief that this could bring.