Caergivers: What's Your Wellness Plan?

Posted by judimahoney @judimahoney, Sep 6 9:03am

Hi Mayo World!
We are all told ad nauseum that we must practice self-care and take care of ourselves, and we all know this is true. And, we all know it's easier said than done.
In the working world we've learned that making a goal and a plan will help ensure success in your endeavors. So... we must all formally make a little plan to care for ourselves. Do you want to write down your plan? Do you want to tell someone else? This is supposed to increase the chance it will happen if you have accountability.
I added a photo of two of my little helpers. My former supervisor gave me wellness dice as a reminder to practice self-care. I found some de-stress tea at the store and thought I'd give it a try.
We can't always get respite, and the cavalry is indeed not coming, so we're probably on our own figuring out how to care for ourselves while caring for our loved ones. It doesn't always have to be something big, just a little something to remind you how important you are.
Good luck, and remember to look out for #1 (you!).

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Caregivers: Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) & Dementia Support Group.

Scott R L | @scottrl | Sep 6 3:40pm

Those "wellness dice" look like a fun and clever idea.

Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Sep 6 5:41pm

@judimahoney What a great idea!! Hopefully you’ll get LOTS of safe and inexpensive ideas to add to the dice. Wishing you some fun days with this!

judimahoney | @judimahoney | Sep 6 8:12pm

In reply to @scottrl "Those "wellness dice" look like a fun and clever idea." + (show)

@scottrl
And it's a good day when I can do all of the dice recommendations. ☺️

Scott R L | @scottrl | Sep 6 8:51pm

In reply to @judimahoney "@scottrl And it's a good day when I can do all of the dice recommendations. ☺️" + (show)

@judimahoney It's a good day when I can do *any* of them!

wellnesswins | @wellnesswins | Sep 7 5:46pm

Wellness dice. How clever. I've been taking a B12 first thing in the morning. It helps take the edge off. I have a variety of teas too. My favorite is the Chamomile from Trader Joes. It's one of the few that does not make me groggy in the am. In the summer I'll brew it and then cool down in the fridg. It is refreshing and I don't get hot before going to bed which makes it hard to fall asleep. But, that said, the single best thing I've done for myself and my husband, who helps to take care of my Mom, was to get respite helpers coming into our home. It was exhausting to get it all setup but soooo worth it. Some afternoons, I go out and about. Some afternoons, I just stay in and watch a good movie, read a book or take a nap with my cat while the respite helper sits with my Mom in the other room for 4 hours entertaining her with puzzles, animal videos, coloring, etc. There are economical respite programs out there, it is worth the level of effort to find them to help maintain your wellness.

kjc48 | @kjc48 | Sep 8 6:03am

@judimahoney Leave it to you to show your morning colors with those very cool "wellness dice! I love those little things with their meaningful reminders. It's making me happy with a good morning message: "Take care of you." Thank you for this color-filled and meaningful share.
Best, Karla

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 18 12:58pm

Calling all caregivers. @judimahoney started this discussion a few days ago and I'd like to hear more tips from you. I know it is hard to think of yourself when dealing with the many and varying demands of caring for others.

Small things count. Here are few: took time to look out the window or drank a cup of tea in my favorite chair or stopped to take 5 deep breathes or slowed down to eat my lunch and really taste it. Wellness can come in small bits.

Judi, which wellness dice did you roll today?
Anyone else want to share the wellness moment they did for themselves today?

judimahoney | @judimahoney | Sep 18 9:44pm

In reply to @colleenyoung "Calling all caregivers. @judimahoney started this discussion a few days ago and I'd like to hear..." + (show)

@colleenyoung
Hi: As sometimes happens, no time to even roll the dice today. I did steal 15 minutes to read for pleasure, and ate 2 doughnuts! 🍩 😋

kjc48 | @kjc48 | Sep 19 7:05am

In reply to @colleenyoung "Calling all caregivers. @judimahoney started this discussion a few days ago and I'd like to hear..." + (show)

@colleenyoung Wellness comes in small ingredients for me, primarily in cooking. Yes cooking. I need to take it one step further and make it also (after we eat) walking to offset the calories from the cooking. I've had to short-path what I do and how I do it, to get a good dinner on the table. So last night crispy panko cordon bleu with (I cheated) box chicken gravy perked up with a hint of apple jelly. Night before was Cod with Clams, garlic, butter and wine, (and good for you spinach), the night before that, baby back spareribs (cooked low and slow), sweet potato and fresh green beans. Then a pot roast with fennel and mushroom gravy, whipped potatoes and a vegetable. One night a too-tough piece of meat that wouldn't render tender - so we had switch-out-to-tuna-melt-sandwiches that night! I have so many good cookbooks, and in all of this with my husband's MCI, they still bring me joy which equals wellness for me. I keep purchasing these older cookbooks from Thrift Books, such a wellness joy when I thumb through the pages and still dream about everything I want to cook!
Best, Karla

JennFH | @jenniferkr | Sep 19 8:16am

In reply to @kjc48 "@colleenyoung Wellness comes in small ingredients for me, primarily in cooking. Yes cooking. I need to..." + (show)

@kjc48 Wow, Karla, sounds amazing. Cooking more now than ever as my husband previously did a lot of the cooking. He also did the grilling. I keep trying to grill but not always successful. Better now that I bought a thermometer. He never needed one but his meat was usually perfectly cooked. Baking is what I love. Sour dough bread, bagels, cookies, scones and crackers. Goal of making a new dish every week since we are home more.