Caregivers Take Time – 7 Steps for “Me Time”
Throughout my adult years, mostly as a holistic practitioner with 27+ years sharing and teaching habits for self-care, I have observed that most people do not make self-care a necessary part of their lifestyle. This became a greater concern after I went through my own life lessons and being a part of a family who has had their share of caregiving. My mother cared for my Dad until his passing. Then years later, we took care of my mother through her illness before she passed. But I discovered, after the death of my brother, being in an environment that enables the stress to be completely stripped from my energy field was very special and necessary for me. The weightlessness that I felt was truly indescribable, but I didn’t know that until I was in a position to allow myself that total experience. It happened upon arriving to the hotel to vacation at my favorite place, Negril, Jamaica. Knowing what to do to revisit that zone, once it is experienced, is critical to maintaining health, balance, and well-being.
As a person who understands the movement of energy, let me say that it is so very important that you take time out for yourself, to relax, rejuvenate and replenish your body, mind and emotions from the challenges and stresses of your life. Self-Care is a form of preventative medicine for stress relief. This is especially true for those of you, both healthcare professionals and family members, who are taking care of others. You take care of everyone else except yourself day after day, year after year. You wonder why your body is beginning to give out on you. You are literally killing yourself and don’t even realize it. Your output of energy is greater than your input of energy.
People who are ill take the energy of those who are healthier to help themselves feel better. This is all going on behind the scenes without us knowing it. Did you know that 70% of caregivers get sick while giving care? Another interesting statistic, according to the National Alzheimer’s Association, is that 50% of all caregivers die before the person they are caring for. Granted, this is primarily about those who are caring for people with serious health challenges, but this is something we should all be mindful of. Another concern for me is that many people don’t believe this applies to them or that they don’t have time to do anything about their well-being. Hopefully, these Seven Steps will get you motivated to take better care of yourself. It is your responsibility to take charge of your health. Follow these seven easy steps to begin taking better care of you.
- Spend time with your Divine Creator God through some form of contemplative time or prayer and meditation.
- Take a walk through the park in God’s beautiful world either alone or with a friend.
- Eliminate thoughts of guilt and think and speak lovingly about yourself.
- Read a good book.
- Spend the day doing what YOU want to do that uplifts your Spirit, Mind Emotions and Body.
- Take a warm bubble bath with candlelight and soft music playing, adding to your peaceful ambience.
7. Write from your soul your secret thoughts and dreams.
