Last week, we encouraged you that it’s OK to change the topic. This week, I hope you’ll resist that temptation because our new theme is Financial/Planning for the Future. And I know that finances rank right up there with politics and religion as subjects that people are uncomfortable discussing.
Read MoreHealthy boundaries are so important in relationships, but have you ever considered how important healthy boundaries are in our conversations? Sometimes, a conversation can lead us down a path we do not want to go.
Read MoreSeptember is suicide prevention awareness month. It hits me every time ... hard. Before June 2010, when my brother first told me of his suicide ideation, September was just another month. It had always represented transitions, new beginnings, a fresh start – back-to-school and Fall. Now, I spend some time each September thinking about what makes suicide preventable.
Read MoreMost people who are caregivers didn’t choose that role. It was brought on by life circumstances. Our love for another individual led us to take on responsibilities that we had little experience or training for. The problem is that this may lead us to focus on caregiving largely to the exclusion of anything else. That’s when our own well-being can suffer, and that brings us to this week’s topic of “ME” time.
Read MoreHave you ever thought that no one else could care for your loved one as well as you? It’s a common attitude when people devote so much of themselves to caring for someone else. They’re reluctant to share any of the responsibility, and they refuse to accept help when they need it.
Read MoreTake a moment and think about those people in your life that you can truly rely on, who are always there when you need them. These are your social supports, and they might be anybody – family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, or community members.
Read MoreThis week’s subject – acceptance – should be easy, right? What should be more natural than to accept things as they are? But when that reality is not what we had expected, hoped or planned for, we tend to go into denial, the opposite of acceptance.
Read MoreSetting clear and healthy boundaries is so important to any relationship, and the relationship between caregiver and loved one is certainly no exception.
Read MoreWhen was the last time you had a night out with a partner, friend, or close relative? Taking time out for yourself has SO many benefits.
Read MoreHappy International Self-Care Day! That’s right, July 24th has been declared as a day just for us!
Read MoreWhat I’m asking is that you, too, take the first step in prioritizing YOUR health and well-being … the first step to saying “I matter, and I’m worth it” … the first step in your journey toward wholeness and wellness.
Read MoreBy making exercise a priority, you’re also setting a good example for your loved one. For them, regular physical activity can build resistance to mental health disorders, help control medication side effects, reduce feelings of isolation, and increase self-esteem.
Read MoreBecoming more mindful about my emotional eating not only helped me manage my health and wellness, it also made me realize that – I matter.
Read MoreA lot of things keep caregivers awake at night. You know what they are. Stress, worries about the future, trying to get too much done in too little time, just to name a few.
Read MoreIt’s natural for caregivers to feel that they should be “on call” all of the time. We want to be there whenever our loved ones need us.
Read MoreHow do you live in PEACE? For me, it takes real intention to live in peace. Focus, time management, prioritization, deep breathing and plenty of patience.
Last week, I mentioned that being outside is a sanctuary for me. Working in my garden, taking a walk in the park with my dog, or just getting a breath of fresh air always rejuvenates me.
Read MoreWith nicer weather finally here and the kids getting out of school, many of us have vacations on our minds. But there’s another way to relax and recharge.
As caregivers, we know how easy it is to get caught up in all of the daily tasks and responsibilities we have. Not only are we working to meet the needs of our loved ones, we’re also trying to meet a wide range of other demands – from family obligations, to career responsibilities, to our own personal care.
Read MoreI’m going to be assertive with you in this week’s email by asking a question that might be a tough one to answer honestly: Are you assertive enough?
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