by Joy Loverde
We already know that family caregiving is ANYTHING but easy. Add the holiday season to the responsibilities of caring for aging parents, spouses and loved ones and you have a recipe for becoming totally unwrapped.
Make this season different. Give yourself a gift of YOU and promise yourself moments of peace and quiet. Getting away from eldercare and family caregiving for fifteen minutes at a time will take the edge off emotionally charged relationships and situations.
My book, The Complete Eldercare Planner offers many more ideas about ways to take care of you no matter what time of year it is. To get started right now, the following give-yourself-a-break ideas can take 15-minutes or less so… there are no excuses. Just do it.
- Set aside quiet time to read. Being immersed in a compelling story is a great way to escape without leaving home. If you’re like me, you may not have the time or the inclination to know what to read. That’s when I look to my friend, Leslie’s book list on Amazon. She is an avid reader and posts her book suggestions on Amazon. Check out Leslie’s list, Books that Women Will Love.
- Take an herbal bath. Look no further than Aveeno Positively Nourishing Body Washto calm your nerves. This product is less than $10 a bottle and can be purchased at your local drug store and retail outlets. Even though the label says use as a body wash, I pour it into a tub of steamy hot running water. The smell is amazing and your skin will feel velvety soft, Need I say more?
- Take an aromatherapy break. Spray your pillow with an aromatic mist; then lie down and close your eyes. In times of stress, a few deep breaths while inhaling a soothing essential oil may produce an almost immediate sense of calm. Studies have shown that aromatherapy may help with insomnia, anxiety, and stress. Make your own or buy ready-made. Click here for Instructions on making your own.
- Treat your feet. I can’t say enough about pedicures. When I am sitting in that chair my problems melt away. If you have the time and the money to spend on this luxury, then stop reading this blog, get out of the house and head to the local nail salon. For the next best thing, find yourself a large clean bucket or basin and fill it with very warm water (almost hot). Add a few orange and lemon slices. If you have sea salt and rosemary on hand, add a good tablespoon of each. Adding a few drops of Vitamin E oil is icing on the cake. Soak for 15 minutes and use parts of the course sea salt to scrub some dead skin off your heels.
I’d love to hear from you after you try a few of these ideas. And if you have more ideas to share… please share. Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you and yours.
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