Self-Esteem Exercises-10
November 3rd, 2007, by Shelley Riutta
Hello! I hope you are having a great weekend! I am in Florida visiting my Mom and I am enjoying the SUN here. I feel like I am a solar panel absorbing all the the rays for the coming winter in Wisconsin!
My Mom has been very challenged in taking care of my 92 Grandfather who is in a nursing home. This has been affecting her own health because she has done—what many, many people do in this situation–that is neglect her own self-care.
Over the years I have gained incredible respect for people who are in the role of care-giver for a loved one who is either sick or in a nursing home. One of the things that I encourage people in that role to do is to take extra care of themselves while they are in the care-giver role. Rather than losing sight of their own self-care as they in the care-giving role—I encourage them to make sure they are taking really good care of themselves. I have learned that it is little self-care things that can make a huge difference.
When I was caring for my Dad after a high risk surgery I would make sure I got enough sleep, ate healthy meals througout the day, walk outside to get some sunshine and tag team with family members to get a mental break from the situation. I also made sure I was staying connected to my spiritual support–praying, reading inspirational books, feeling the loving support from my spiritual connection reminding me that all was well–even though at moments it didn’t appear that things were. At the most intense times I would call the Unity prayer line to connect with a reassuring voice that would help calm me with uplifting prayers that would help me shift into feeling the peace of my own spiritual connection. I also watched what I told myself about the situation—I could think thoughts that would increase the stress I was feeling or think calming/reassuring thoughts that would decrease the stress.
We all have periods of time when we are in the care-giving role. These are the most crucial times to be practicing self-care. It is easy to let it slide because of the stress and intensity of the situation. Remind yourself that your self-care is vital and will allow you to be a more present and healthy care-giver to your loved one. Reach out for help and support to those around you at the times it feels overwhelming. If you are not used to doing this—it is a good time to learn–because if you don’t reach out for support you are at risk of getting burned out.
If you are not in the care-giver role right now –think of someone you know that is going through that experience and call them to see if you can help out in any way. They will greatly appreciate your reaching out to them and it will make a huge difference in their lives.
Remember to love yourself as you are loving and caring for others.