11/25/2019
November is National Family Caregivers Month and I want to take this opportunity to give a shoutout to YOU.
If you are reading this, chances are you are a caregiver to a family member, possibly to a child with special needs.
As a Pediatric Occupational Therapist, I have seen many caregivers just like you in my office putting in the time and energy to support your loved ones, checking in on the progress of your child, and asking how to follow through with therapeutic strategies at home. Your dedication to your little one does not go unnoticed.
Now it is time to talk about YOU. Did you know that taking care of yourself helps you take care of another? Taking care of someone else does not mean you need to put your self care on pause, in fact it means quite the opposite! By taking care of yourself, you will be refreshed and motivated to keep supporting your loved one. I have comprised a list of tried and true self care tips that you can use to give yourself a bit of repiste in your otherwise busy and eventful days.
☀️Wake up 10 minutes earlier, and give yourself 10 minutes to do something you enjoy on your own, whether that means brewing coffee, reading a few pages of a book, or sitting in the garden and enjoying the stillness of the morning - dedicate this time to YOU
☀️10 deep breaths - really, just 10?? Yes! Not everyone has time for an hour of meditation a day, just do what you can - for me, 10 deep breaths does the trick!
☀️Music! Create a playlist of your favorite songs to have on hand when you are in need of a mood boost
☀️Get an adult coloring book. I’m serious, they are so much fun! You can even turn this into an activity for you and your child to do side-by-side, which will be relaxing and fun for the both of you!
Try it and let me know what you think!