How to Take Care of Yourself While Being a Caregiver
LISTEN TO EP 13: ITUNES | SPOTIFY
It’s been six years since my mother went to heaven. When she was diagnosed with cancer, I went home to care for her. And I am glad I did. But I had to learn how to manage caring for myself and caring for my mother quicker than I thought... because I was falling apart. For me, that meant that I had to get back to the basics of self-care. If you’re feeling drained from a similar situation, here are 4 tips on how to supercharge your soul.
Keep a Journal
· Feelings need our attention. If we ignore them, we can slip into a deep depression.
· I documented my whole process, which was a huge therapeutic win for me.
· Journaling stretches your IQ and boosts your memory and comprehension, which is cool. But it also increases your emotional intelligence.
Eat, Drink, Sleep
· I know this sounds really simple and almost silly to even mention but I would forget to drink water, my meals were reduced to once a day, and me and 3am had become the best of friends. It wasn’t healthy. It wasn’t sustainable.
· You cannot be the best at taking care of your loved one if you aren’t taking care of you.
Breathe and Fall in Love With it
· Not the kind of breathing that is required for living but the kind of breathing that allows the world to pause a minute in order for you to get still.
· This type of breathing will allow your body and mind to truly connect.
Let Go of Your Need to Control
· Sometimes I felt like I didn't do enough. I felt like I failed as a caregiver and daughter.
· You are not, cannot, and will not be the miracle that will save them. And that's a hard pill to swallow. But once you do you will begin to breathe again.
For so long I saw tears as a sign of weakness. And now I cry at everything. What they don't tell you is that tears are the release of those emotions. It's a way of letting you know that the emotion is now free. You are free!
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