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Courtesy of B. Lynn Goodwin & Tate Publishing
If you have recently taken on the responsibility of being a caregiver it is important to remember to take care of yourself! Most likely you have heard this before—but there’s no way around it: You can’t help your elderly loved one if you become ill, stressed out, or depressed. Both you and the person that you’re caring for are not well served if you don’t pay attention to your own physical and emotional health.
Get help…learn to ask for, and accept, the help that many are willing to offer. When someone asks, is there anything you need? Answer “yes.” Do you need help with shopping, errands or time for yourself? The only answer to any of those questions is "yes.
Another option that is proven to provide numerous health benefits is journaling. Expressing emotions in writing can help eliminate stress, anxiety & depression; and also lower blood pressure, heart rate & respirations.
“Many people are intimidated at the thought of putting their thoughts on paper, states author B. Lynn Goodwin. “Writing relieves stress and saves lives. As a caregiver, you spend every spare minute driving to medical appointments, stopping at the pharmacy, cooking, answering questions, paying bills, and helping with matters that used to be private.
‘Why write about it, Lynn asks? Quite simply…journals never argue. They let you vent, expound, rationalize, elaborate, and imagine best and worst outcomes. They let you breathe. A journal welcomes your questions and invites you to explore and analyze possible answers. Journals never talk back. Journals let you finish your thoughts and offer silent, unconditional acceptance. Writing gives perspective and restores sanity. Writing is a lifeline as well as a record. Writing saves lives. Do not underestimate its power.
Ms. Goodwin's new book, You Want Me to Do What? Journaling for Caregivers allows users to process their stress and celebrate what is right. It gives readers open-ended instructions on spilling their guts in the safety of a private journal and offers two hundred sentence starts to help them begin writing. She also offers a 5 week caregiver journaling on-line workshop, to learn more about this visit www.writeradvice.com.
Comments
Thanks for sharing this. I am at a point where this might be exactly what I need. Somedays caregiving does get the best of me.
Nancy's House is a new resource in the Phila. area designed specifically as a respite for family caregivers. I'd be happy to tell you all about it, or check our website: www.nancys-house.org. It is still being built, but the info is useful.
Great article! I use Penzu to keep a journal online...
The validity and importance of your message cannot be over-emphasized nor repeated too often. The idea/suggestion of keeping a journal is an excellent option for releasing the stress, strain and tension of caregiving. Reading your article, it occurred to me that a caregiver could also choose drawing, painting or any other art or craft[scrapbooking, quiliting . . .] which could provide an outlet for the caregiver. Any of these activities, as well, could provide a record documenting the life and/or activities, emotions and experiences of both the person being cared for and the caregiver.
You're correct, other activities can certainly relieve stress and anxiety, however, journaling allows a person to archive their feelings on paper and create a living history.
Thanks for sharing the message, Patricia. I'm glad so many of you know shared the value of writing or expressing your own needs somehow.
If you want to journal but can't get started, try finishing this sentence: Today I want...
Now write the next sentence. WTG! You are journaling. Whether you start slowly or have already filled pages, you are helping yourself to help others.
Remember to date your entry. It is your unique record of where you are in the world today.
B. Lynn Goodwin
www.writeradvice.com
Author of You Want Me to Do What? Journaling for Caregivers
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