A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a post recommending that caregivers keep a Gratitude Journal. I recently received an email that read, in part,"I'm amazed any caregiver has the time for a journal, but it's a good idea." And that pretty much explains how caregivers eventually find themselves in trouble -- frequently facing depression and burnout.
Most caregivers would quickly agree with my email writer's statement. They just can't see how they can carve out the time to update a journal, or meditate, or take a walk, or talk on the phone with a friend. But failing to care for the caregiver is the quickest path to feeling overwhelmed. Add in feelings of isolation and a bit of anxiety and you're well on your way to reaching clinical depression and/or caregiver burnout. And then you'll be faced with two people requiring care -- you and the loved one whom you're trying to care for!
If you can see that taking time for yourself will actually make you a better caregiver, but you can't see how to get yourself to that place, I have a simple solution for you. Email me. No one makes it in life alone. Let me help you learn how to deliver amazing care to your loved one without losing yourself in the process!
How You Can Help
Today's post brings up an unfortunate yet common situation. Often, caregivers fail to make time for themselves even when they know it's the right thing to do! If you know someone who is caring for a chronically ill or aging loved one, email them a link to today's post. Remind them that they can sign up for a FREE one-on-one coaching call that could be the first step in completely transforming their quality of life. Don't they, and the loved one that they're caring for, both deserve that?
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