Nurturing the Caregiver
“Twenty-five Easy Ways to Create and Maintain Your Personal Well Being”
Dagmar Lemich, 2003, Written for NAMI Newsletter

To be the most effective in our roles as caregivers, we must be able to retain our own sense of calm and well being. Take some time for yourself daily. Be sure to drink 8 or more glasses of good quality water, and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables each day. The following are some ideas you may find helpful.

• During times of conflict, take a short "bathroom break" to regain your composure.
• Watch how you are breathing, take several deep breaths, this helps you to relax.
• Go for a walk, look at the trees, flowers, birds and squirrels- really notice!
• Get some exercise, swim, run, ride a bike, work out to an exercise video.
• Pet your favorite dog or cat- this helps to lower your blood pressure!
• Call a supportive friend or family member- have a friendly chat.
• Read some poetry, or a new book, or listen to a book on tape.
• Do a crossword puzzle.
• Dance.
• Sing.
• Listen to music, or if you play an instrument, play it!
• Buy some flowers or a plant for indoors.
• If you have a garden, get out and dig, plant something new.
• Spend some time outdoors each day.
• Bake some bread- you can take out your frustrations on the dough!
• Try a new recipe.
• Have a meal outdoors, on your patio or deck
• Make an ordinary meal special, use your prettiest dishes and place mats, or a tablecloth stemware for your juice- it is much more festive. You don't need to wait til you have " company. REMEMBER, YOU ARE SPECIAL AND YOU DESERVE IT!
• Drive through a park instead of the highway, your nerves will be less frazzled when you arrive at your destination.
• Luxuriate in a bubble bath, or shower with a great-smelling shower gel.
• Try a new hair style.
• Spend a few minutes each day to be thankful for three things.
• Learn something new.
• Schedule a massage appointment. Massage can positively affect your relationships with others.
• Buy a bird bath, or bird feeder -place it where you can observe your feathered visitors.

 

Dagmar Lemich is a Nationally Board Certified Massage Therapist working in Silver Spring, MD.  She has first hand knowledge of the special challenges caregivers face each day.  For further information, call The Spectrum Center for Natural Medicine (301) 565-2700.

 

Copyright 2003, May be copied for personal use.