Take Care- A Few Suggestions for Caregivers

1) Easy does it: Pick one basic stress management strategy at a time as part of your daily routine. Good options include exercise, healthy eating, relaxed breathing, muscle relaxation, daydreaming, stretching, or taking a nap. Pick one strategy to practice at a time.

Start slowly and be realistic. Mini-relaxations are valuable too. Any time you can reduce the stress response you're doing your health a big favor!

2) Empowerment can take several forms. One form is to learn new skills and attitudes. Learn what you need to know at a pace that's reasonable for you. Mastery is power! Appreciate your steps toward coping and giving good care, and celebrate your triumphs- and you get to decide your goals and triumphs!

Another form of empowerment is to respect your limits and limitations. Sometimes the most empowering action is to live within the limits of your energy level and coping skills, instead of always trying to change yourself or the situation.

3) Try not to fall into the "Take care of yourself" trap! The need for assistance does not diminish with time, and involving other supports and resources is a strength and coping skill.  When acquaintances or family members say, "Take care of yourself!", it should not mean "take care by yourself." Accept assistance in any form, be honest about your needs, and be open to seeking the training and information that you need each step of the way.

4) Express yourself in new and different ways. New emotions and experiences call for new outlets. Tell your story, paint a picture, mold clay, pick up a musical instrument, dance around the house, or take a martial arts class.

Writing in a journal might give you the opportunity to explore, reflect, tell the truth, get something out off your mind, follow a process, or get to know and heal yourself over time. Try writing with different color pencils, thick crayons, delicate calligraphy pens. Write with your non-dominant hand, scribble without looking at the paper, draw to music. Match a color to an emotion and let it go.

5) Hold on to your sense of humor at all costs! A good laugh can ease tension, put things in better perspective, and connect people. Share a joke with a loved one, call up a funny friend, watch a funny movie, read a book of jokes and practice delivering the punch lines.

How about adding some good jokes to this website?! Just use the "Contact" page to send me the joke, and I'll print it with your name if you'd like. Thanks!