What are you going to do for yourself this week as a caregiver?

This is a good topic as we caregivers get so immersed in the act of caring we forget about the care of our own well being, mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. I paint after I get my mother squared away. I also go to an Emotions Anonymous support meeting every week. I have a good caregiver that relieves me so I can meet with my support group friends. Listening to others stories helps me know that I'm not alone even though each person is dealing with their own set of circumstances. I too love to read and also watch movies on netflix. It's difficult to work in things you like doing when you are in this non stop cycle of caregiving. Sometimes I just let my mother stay in bed and she gets up when she feels like it. I feel guilty but at times I will stay in bed as long as she does. We may be eating breakfast at 4pm but I have decided that "it's okay!"

I do everything I possibly can to practice EVERY SINGLE DAY but sometimes I’m so busy it just doesn’t happen.

This morning I practiced until my lips stopped working LOL!

I plan on ordering any needs for mine, keeping his in-home care giver up to date and staying the hell away!!! By the way... mine is making a miraculous recovery and doing for himself since I’ve been sick for 3 weeks. I don’t deserve to suffer from anxiety for his whims, and yet he tries. Anything I can do from home is how I handle him. I never thought I would despise a human so much so I took all the advice from you’all and got to work. My mental health is better. I have a ton of paperwork to handle to get his long term care instated... if I even mention how many hours and days these things takes he just says “ok, get to work”. He’ll manipulate any amount of time he can get out of me, without any concern. I see it, I’m fixing it, and I just play along to release myself as much as possible.
He’s scoffing at the out of pocket costs until LTC coverage kicks in so now so insists he doesn’t need help, we’ll alrighty then!!!!

I started taking a Sign Language class about a month ago - it has become the highlight of my week. It really is something I do just for me, no purpose other than I've wanted to learn it for awhile. Someone at church asked me how it was going, and I could feel my face blossoming into a smile ;)

I'll be taking MIL in to get a cast on her broken wrist this Monday . . . . and looking forward to my class that night all through the appointment, lol!

Update-- I did get the two books from the library and here we are, two weeks or so later and I haven't read one yet. How discouraging.

I will renew the books and try again.

I feel very discouraged. I am a hamster on a treadmill these days.

Sometimes we need to do something to recharge ourselves. I was feeling down. But on Mon. a friend and I had lunch together. It's a small thing, but makes a diff.

Also, don't let negative thoughts tell you nothing will help. Small pleasures actually do help.

My plan to have a massage every 2 weeks has not happened.. sigh,,,

Well I don't know how relaxing it will be, but hubs and I are taking mom and aunt to ocean city next week.. its pretty low keyed vacay, but a friend has a big house we can use, and its near the casino.. so we do lots of short day trips , one meal out each day , an afternoon at the slots... trip to the boardwalk and such. Today I went out to breakfast and some shopping with same friend,, she is down in the spirit as her hubs is getting worse. Did get mom a new bathrobe and sweatsuit for her birthday tomorrow.

Update....well, I did take two books out of the library but haven't started reading yet. I never did get to walk, haha...but I am super busy caring for two people right now so that is understandable.

I'll get some reading in at the hospital waiting room soon, so looking forward to that, if I can concentrate due to nervous energy while someone is in surgery.

Tiger55-Leslie Sansone has lots of dvds for walking (can walk in place). I have to see what workout dvds I have, it's been so long since I used one I can't remember anyone's name in particular.

This week, I'm going to go see the Downtown Abby movie! Last week, I went to a concert to see Snarky Puppy! (Sat on the grass, enjoying music, picnic and wine!) I realized that I have to return to some happy times in my life....including some romance!

Reading is good. Reading in the library is even better for me. As for walking, not sure I could do 30 minutes. But since weather is cooling down some-my yard needs attention so I'm going to go at it in short increments so I don't end up layed up again.

I don't even do hands on caregiving, just the financial part and the worrying. My bro trying to decide whether he can move back home from his Assisted Living situation, and he is back and forth on it. I think --I KNOW--I worry way too much. I try to figure out everything way in advance and it all is for naught. I am working on getting my head out of it all being all my bro all the time.
Library works for me. I like podcasts. Something mindless on TV. Dog walk, garden. Sew. I try various things to get my head free of it all. Sometimes have almost literally PULL my mind back from all the circular stewing it does.

Agree, have started shorter walks, (with weights), & going back to the chiropractor soon. I'd like to buy a good dvd for senior workout, (does anyone have a favorite?) Thnx