Stress Reduction
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My Backstory
My earliest memory is being on the phone with my mother, who told me I had a new baby sister. I was so excited! Mom said she would bring the baby home to meet me in time for my 2nd birthday in 3 days. I would grab a diaper, wipes, or burp cloth with extreme speed and accuracy. Mom could count on me to care for this tiny, often crying, sweet baby sister, who was so helpless. I was a secondary caregiver at 2 years old! A short 15 months later, it happened again! My mom was a baby-making machine! She had 4 kids in 5 years!! This time mom…
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Pete and repeat….
When you have a loved one with dementia, you may experience what I call "the repeats." It reminds me of an old joke I heard as a kid that was super annoying. It went like this: Pete and repeat went up a hill. Pete fell off, and who was left? When the victim says "repeat," you repeat the lines again. "Pete and repeat went up a hill..." Annoying, isn't it? As kids, we chose to be annoying by telling that joke to people. Our loved one didn't choose any form of dementia. Nor would we wish it on them! On a good day, they will ask the same question with…
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Managing Large Gatherings: Dementia-Friendly Tips for Family Events
Successfully navigating large gatherings with a loved one who has dementia requires thoughtful planning and preparation. While it can be challenging, there are steps we can take to make these visits less stressful and more enjoyable for everyone involved. I won’t sugarcoat it or pretend that I have it all figured out. Many of you have been following my journey long enough to know that’s just not the case. I try hard, but sometimes, I still make mistakes. Maybe you can relate? My mom has vascular dementia, which makes our large family gatherings particularly challenging. Despite this, I refuse to exclude her. I want her to be with family as…
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Finding Time to Relax: Stress Relief and Self-Care Tips for Caregivers
What goes through your mind when someone says "you just need to relax"? If you're like most caregivers, that suggestion might not calm you down. In fact, it might stress you out even more! While the sentiment is well-meaning, it’s often not helpful. We all know that stress is harmful, especially when it’s prolonged, and caregiving naturally comes with a lot of stress. But realistically, what can we do to unwind? We can’t simply run away from our responsibilities, nor can we ignore them and hope things will work out. So, what are some practical ways to find relaxation? Practical Tips to Help You Relax 1. Read a Book: Even…
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Lessons from My Ivy Plant: Adapting and Thriving as a Caregiver
Nature is full of lessons, but we often miss them because we’re too busy to stop and truly observe. Recently, while watering my indoor plants—a routine task I perform every Saturday—I took a moment to carefully observe my giant ivy (Golden Pothos). Although I’ve cared for this plant for nearly 20 years, it still taught me a valuable lesson about adaptability and growth. When my ivy grows across a flat surface or drapes down, its vines remain smooth. However, when it wants to grow upward without support, it adapts by growing tiny arms to latch onto anything nearby—whether it’s a wall, window blinds, or even a canvas painted by one…
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Why Do People Journal? Uncover the Surprising Benefits of Daily Writing
Have you ever heard people talk about journaling and wondered why they do it? Is it really beneficial, or just another task to add to your already full day? How can it possibly help? I used to think the same way! With a job, family, and caregiving responsibilities, I felt like I was barely keeping my head above water. The idea of adding journaling to my routine seemed overwhelming. But before you dismiss the idea, I invite you to consider the potential benefits of journaling. I’m not asking you to commit to anything—just to ponder whether this practice could offer you some relief and insight. If you decide to give…
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5 Stress Relievers Every Caregiver Should Know: Prioritize, Move, and Thrive
Feeling overwhelmed by your endless to-do list? As a caregiver, managing stress is crucial for your well-being and the care you provide. Here are five practical strategies to help you reduce stress, prioritize tasks, and find moments of peace amidst your busy life. 1. Prioritize Your To-Do List Take a hard look at your to-do list and separate the essentials from the non-essentials. Create two lists: one for tasks that absolutely must be done, and another for things that would be nice to accomplish. Now, focus only on what’s essential. Break down your essential tasks into three categories: Top Priority (#1), Medium Priority (#2), and Low Priority (#3). Concentrate on…
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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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10 Reasons Why Adult Coloring is Great for Caregivers – Free Printable Pages!
Did you wake up one morning and think, "I want to be a caregiver because that sounds like fun!"? Yeah, I didn’t think so. Most of us became caregivers because our loved ones needed help—not necessarily because we wanted to. If your situation is different, I’d love to hear about it! Regardless of the reason, here we are, caring for another human being. We’re all doing the best we can in a role that few of us feel prepared for. Raising kids is challenging enough, but caregiving for a spouse or parent? That’s a whole different story! Can I get an "Amen!"? Finding a Relaxing Outlet: Adult Coloring Books May…
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8 Effective Tips to Help Your Loved One Sleep Better – Caregiver Guide
Just as sleep is crucial for us as caregivers, it is even more essential for those we care for. Their brains require more time to process, reset, clear, and rest because they often work three to four times harder than ours. While we remember where we are, who we are, and who others are, they might struggle with these basic details. Here are 8 effective tips to help your loved one sleep better: 1. Cut Down on Caffeine and Nicotine Limit caffeine (found in coffee, tea, chocolate, and cola) and nicotine, especially several hours before bedtime. Caffeine can significantly affect someone with Alzheimer's. For example, my mother-in-law, who had two…
