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Who has time to Relax?
What goes through your mind when someone says "you just need to relax"? My guess is you are not instantly deep breathing and calming down, correct? If anything, you are more worked up now than before they offered their "helpful" opinion. (I need a designated sarcasm font! lol) The truth is, they are correct. We do need to learn to unwind. Please stick with me; I'm not finished. While their sentiment may be right, it is not helpful. We know stress is bad for our minds and bodies when it's prolonged, and caregiving definitely comes with a lot of stress. But what can we realistically do? We can't run away,…
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Lessons from my Ivy Plant
I've found there are lessons in nature all around us, but we often miss them. Why? Because we are in a hurry, not really paying attention, or pausing long enough to really take in what we are viewing. I was watering my indoor plants on Saturday like I always do. (I discovered long ago that they grow much better if I water them consistently.) As I watered my giant ivy (Golden Pothos is its technical name,) I took time to really observe it. I've cared for it for nearly 20 years now yet I still learned a valuable lesson from it on this bright morning. When the ivy is growing normally,…
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Why Do People Journal?
Have you heard people talk about journaling and wondered why they do it? Is there any benefit, or is it yet another thing to add to your already full day? How can it possibly help? I thought those same things! I felt like I was barely keeping my head above water with my job, family, and caregiving. I’m asking you to read on and consider if journaling might help you. I’m NOT asking you to do it or commit to anything; I’m just offering thoughts to ponder. If it’s something you want to try, great! If it’s not for you, that’s okay too. And for those avid journalers among us,…
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5 Stress Relievers
Prioritize Take a good look at your To-Do List. On one sheet of paper, write items you MUST accomplish; on another, list things that would be nice to achieve. What I'm going to say next is hard to hear, but it's VERY IMPORTANT to reducing your stress levels. Are you ready? Throw away the second page. You don't need the pressure of having it on your To-Do List when it's not essential. When you have some free time, you can think about those things. If you can't bear throwing it away, put it in a drawer out of sight. (I understand.) Now look at the items on your smaller To-Do…
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The Dr. said “Dementia”, Now What?
Your doctor said those words and left you reeling. Perhaps he told you there is no cure, and it's terminal. Your mind is racing so much that it's hard to formulate all the questions. What now? Is there anything that will slow it down? Are there medications that will help with symptoms? What am I supposed to do? It's not contagious, right? (No.) And many more questions you haven't even considered yet. It's upsetting to be left with what seems to be so many missing pieces to the puzzle. I get it. I've been with family and friends when they received the diagnosis. It's never fun, and it's always upsetting.…
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A Fun and Insightful Interview with Betsy Wurzel on Chatting with Betsy
Betsy Wurzel Chatting with Betsy on Passionate World Talk Radio A Fun Interview with Betsy Wurzel on Passionate World Talk Radio Interviews can be nerve-wracking, especially when they’re live on the radio. However, my recent interview with Betsy Wurzel on her show, Chatting with Betsy on Passionate World Talk Radio, was a completely different experience—fun, engaging, and incredibly rewarding. Connecting Through Caregiving Betsy and I immediately bonded over our shared experiences as caregivers and our Christian faith. Betsy has been in the caregiving trenches just like me, and her passion for helping others shines through every episode. Her show reaches audiences in 174 countries, making it a fantastic resource for…
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Retirement Planning Simplified: Your Guide to a Secure Future
Retirement planning is a crucial step for anyone fortunate enough to plan for the future. While I’m not a tax expert or financial planner, I can guide you to valuable resources from those who are. The knowledgeable team at Finance Strategists has created an in-depth guide to help you navigate the often confusing world of retirement planning. This resource covers various retirement plans, investment options, pensions, profit sharing, and more. Simplify Your Retirement Planning Planning for retirement doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Finance Strategists has broken down the key elements you need to understand to make informed decisions about your financial future. Access FREE Information Take advantage of this comprehensive…
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Myths About Parkinson’s
My Dad had Parkinson's disease. I had never been around anyone who had Parkinson's before dad. I knew next to nothing about it except the famous Parkinson's shake. As a result, I didn't handle everything perfectly. (I probably wouldn't have done it perfectly even with all the information in the world!) But, there are things I could have done better. All we can do is keep learning and applying our new knowledge for the benefit of others. To that end, I felt the need to write some Myth Busters about Parkinson's disease specifically. First, here's an old pic of my sweet Mom and Dad before the diagnosis. Myth #1 Since…
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Rosalynn Carter had it Right!
According to Rosalynn Carter, former first lady of the US, there are only four kinds of people in the world: "those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers." As a decades-long champion for the rights of US caregivers, Carter knows what she is talking about. The number one greatest risk factor for developing Alzheimer's is AGE. We are now living longer, thereby increasing our risk of getting this dreaded disease. All is not doom and gloom though, there are things we can do to minimize our risk of developing dementia. Would you like to know a few ways to…
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SUP (Straight Up Positive) Interview
