“I’m a Caregiver and I MATTER”
Earlier this week, I had the good fortune of presenting I’m a Caregiver and I Matter at a Caregiver Survival Conference in Louisville, Kentucky.
Because we are careGIVERS, we often neglect caring for ourselves.
After all, how can GIVERS focus on self-care?
One way, is by a simple exercise, I call this The Mirror Exercise. Watch it by clicking on the play button, below:
If the above video does not play, click on this link to view on YouTube: I’m a Caregiver and I MATTER – Mirror Exercise
And to really believe it when you do the above exercise, you may need to take a few moments to revisit the importance of taking a respite.
All too often we push, Push, PUSH ourselves until we’re overwhelmed, stressed, and spiral into depression.
Next thing, we’re hearing about a fellow caregiver who died before s/he was finished caregiving. It doesn’t have to go this far. Don’t die before your job as caregiver is done.
Take a respite.
Even five minutes can make a world of difference.
Don’t believe me? Click on the text link to watch a funny YouTube Video of The Five-Minute Respite.
Every Caregiver Matters
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Brenda,
This is powerful if the person believes in what they are saying. The lady in black appear to not beleive in herself. I know from experience that I did not feel that I mattered. To me Marie was and is everything. Taking care of her took it’s toll on me in weight gain and back pain. But, I would do it all over again but I think I would take care of myself better. Now that she is gone I feel helpless, alone in life and just out of sorts. My heart is very heavy. I know I did all I could but still have that question in my mind, could I have done more?
Please le tme know if you are going to speak anywhere near Washington Dc. I would love to meet you face to face.
Don
I will. It would be my pleasure to meet you.
Besides, I still need to buy a Navy sailor and devoted caregiver a beer and a brat! 😉
This seems like a powerful exercise. What kind of feedback do you get?
Good question, Mike. At this time, I ask only a rhetorical question to invite them to consider what this means.
Reading emails from attendees afterward, they practice this each morning or evening when they look in the mirror.