Five Important Ways To Care For Yourself While Caring for Loved Ones During The Holidays
5 Important Ways To Care for Yourself While Caring For Others During The Holidays
It is so easy to put ourselves on the back burner when caring for others. In fact, it is not unusual for caregivers to find themselves getting sick while caring for others.
We should never put ourselves on the back burner. By the time we reach back to on the "burner" to do something for you...you find it's hard to even find you on the burner. There is so much other stuff going on that you let take precedence over your own needs. The good news is that you can make up your mind to make a change. You can decide that NOW is the time to put yourself on the front burner without any guilt or shame.
Here are 5 important ways that you can start taking better care of you:
Nature Yourself - even if it is for 10 to 15 minutes each day you have to take a break and GO OUTSIDE. Walk around the block, or just sit outside. The fresh air (no matter how cold or hot it is) is invigorating. Being outside will uplift your spirits and re-energize you. Spending that brief period of time gives you a chance to reconnect with you. Try to do it the same time every day. Make this a part of your self-care practice.
Re-Connect With Friends - caring for a loved one can be totally encompassing. It doesn't take long to begin to feel isolated when you are a caregiver. Connect with friends who are positive and uplifting, friends that are a joy to be around. You will find their attitude contagious and uplifting.
Make Your Self-Care a Top Priority - even if it is something small like taking a break to watch your favorite program, or read a chapter from your favorite book, It's important that you make it a priority to do something nice for yourself every day no matter how small. There are plenty of quick self-care things you can do for the holidays.. Drink your favorite hot chocolate, put on your favorite holiday music, take a ride and enjoy the beautiful lights and decorations of the season.
Recognize The Triggers - you know yourself pretty well. You also know those things signs that you are beginning to get that overwhelmed stressed out feeling. It is at those times that you must take heed and arrange for a break. Keep handy a list of friends, family, and caregivers that can give you a break for a couple of hours or more so that you can get reconnect with your mind, body, and spirit. Also, keep a list of things you can do that will help you de-stress. Sometimes we can get so stressed we can't think of anything to do..having a list handy can really help.
Stay Present - it is easy during the holidays to start thinking about the ghost of Holiday's past. Instead, focus on what is good and thriving in your life ( yes there is good in your life too) . Be mindful during the course of your day and focus on what is working, what you can do, and other positive things that are going on in your life.
The Wellness Journey Podcast Series
Keys To Emotional Wellness and Healing After Losing A Loved One
One of the key parts of our lives' journey is dealing with the loss of a loved one. It is a fact of life that inevitably those we care about will make their final transition and move on to the next phase of another kind of journey. When this happens what can we take away from this experience that can help us to grow? How we do move forward with our grieving process? How do we heal is a way that we can find something positive from the experience?
August Pettigrew, Author and Mother shares with us her poignant experience of losing a daughter after a long battle with a terminal disorder. Her story is not only beautiful, but she shares with us some key learnings that have helped her continue on after such a great loss.
On this particular podcast, I was struck by the strength and integrity of August Pettigrew. To be able to write about her experience with loss, grief and moving forward after losing her daughter to a terminal disease, is inspiring.
We will all experience the loss of a loved one as we move further along our journey in life. There is no way to prepare for such a hurt. August shares with us in this interview, that no matter how you deal with the loss, you can recover and you can move forward in life having been blessed with the wonderful memories of your loved one.
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