Practical Strategies for Managing Stress:

1. Pause and Breathe
   Something as simple as slow, deep breathing can calm your nervous system and reduce feelings of overwhelm. Try inhaling for a count of four, holding for four, and exhaling for six.
2. Move Your Body
   Exercise is a natural stress reliever. Whether it’s a brisk walk, yoga, or dancing in your living room, movement helps release tension and boost mood.
3. Set Boundaries
   Learning to say “no” or stepping back from commitments that drain you can reduce unnecessary stress. Protect your energy by prioritizing what matters most.
4. Stay Connected
   Talking through challenges with friends, family, or a trusted mentor can lighten your load. Social connection helps us feel supported and less alone.
5. Practice Mindfulness
   Meditation, journaling, or simply noticing your thoughts without judgment can reduce stress and increase self-awareness. Even five minutes a day can make a difference.
6. Take Breaks
   Rest is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Schedule downtime, even if it’s just a short walk outside or a moment to enjoy a cup of tea.
7. Seek Professional Help When Needed
   If stress feels unmanageable, reaching out to a counselor or therapist can provide new tools and perspectives. Professional support can make a significant difference.

The Bottom Line
Stress is unavoidable, but it doesn’t have to control your life. By practicing healthy coping strategies and listening to your body, you can build resilience and create more balance. Remember: managing stress is not about perfection—it’s about finding what helps you feel grounded, supported, and capable in the face of life’s challenges.

JFS can help. Reach out to THRIVE Counseling and find out more.

We all have days when life feels heavier than usual. Just like you might keep a first-aid kit at home for physical scrapes and bumps, having a “mental health toolkit” can help you care for your emotional well-being when stress, anxiety, or overwhelm show up.

A mental health toolkit is a collection of strategies, habits, and resources you can turn to when you need extra support. Everyone’s toolkit looks different, but here are some ideas to help you start building yours:

Caring for a spouse, parent, or loved one is one of the most demanding and intimate roles a person can take on. When caregiving ends—whether because of a loved one’s passing, a transition to long-term care, or another major change—the silence that follows can feel overwhelming.
 
Some caregivers feel grief. Others feel relief. Many feel both.
These emotions are not contradictory. They are deeply human.

What You May Be Feeing
Grief
It is normal to feel a mix of sadness, anger, emptiness, or even guilt. Healing is not linear, and there is no set timeline. Be patient with yourself.
 
Relief
Many caregivers feel a sense of relief that their loved one’s suffering has ended, or that their own physical and emotional strain has eased. This feeling is valid. It does not diminish your love or dedication.

Guilt and Regret
Most caregivers have moments they wish they handled differently: “I should have been more patient” or “I could have done more.”
Please remember: there is no such thing as a perfect caregiver. You did the best you could under incredibly difficulty circumstances.

Navigating the Transition
Reclaiming Time
You may suddenly find yourself with unstructured days and unfamiliar quiet. This can be disorientating. Start small. Create a daily routine. Try journaling. Revisit a hobby you once enjoyed.  

Rediscovering Yourself
After years of caregiving, it’s common to ask: “Who am I now?” Give yourself time to explore who you are beyond the caregiver role. You are allowed to imagine a new chapter.

Rebuilding Connection
Caregiving is often isolating. It may be time to reach out to old friends or make new ones through a support group, class, or volunteer role. You don’t have to do this alone.

Your Journey Forward
Grief is deeply personal. There is no “right” way to feel or heal. You’ve carried a heavy load, emotionally, physically, and mentally. Now is the time to extend the same compassion to yourself that you gave to others. Be gentle with yourself.

For more information on services offered at JFS, or to get in touch, visit www.jfsannarbor.org/cares

At Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County (JFS), food is more than a meal — it’s a mission. With support from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, we launched a pilot food business training program aimed at helping local entrepreneurs—especially immigrants and underserved community members—build their futures in the food industry.

Our original goal was to train 10 participants per quarter through intensive, hands-on workshops. But the program quickly gained traction.

In our first (English-speaking) session, we trained 5 participants—3 of whom passed the ServSafe Manager exam and are now fully certified. While two did not pass, they received valuable business and food safety training and plan to retest. The real growth came with our second (Spanish-speaking) session. Thanks to word of mouth and community demand, we enrolled 18 participants — and all 18 passed. That’s 18 new certified food entrepreneurs now equipped to safely serve in Washtenaw County.
​
The weeklong incubator includes:

• Financial literacy training, delivered by Bank of America’s Hassan Elsayed
• ServSafe certification training, led by Union Food Group
• Food safety planning, facilitated by Dainna Raye of the Washtenaw County Health Department
• Business development coaching, provided by JFS through federal Microenterprise Development (MED) funds

This initiative is part of our larger MED program, which helps refugees and underrepresented community members overcome language barriers, cultural adjustment, and trauma by providing entrepreneurial tools to build long-term financial independence.
With each cohort, we’re not just serving up skills — we’re cultivating confidence, culture, and community impact. From 5 to 18 participants in just one quarter, the demand tells the story. We're growing a movement, one meal — and one entrepreneur — at a time.