Do you react in disgust when someone asks you about your plans for the weekend?

Whenever I ask a caregiver if they’re going to do anything fun, 9 times out of 10 they react in disgust and say something like “The Weekends are the same as the weekdays” or “How is fun even possible?”

Or maybe you’d like to have fun but feel guilty for wanting it or fear you’ll be judged for taking a break from life. 

Well, today you have something to back you up! 

There are scientific studies that show that having fun has a positive physical and mental effect. 

It benefits you to have fun and sets you up for a healthier way to live as a caregiver.

So now when you try to discount the need for fun in your life or worry about what people will say you have facts to support you… although you know deep inside it feels good no matter what.

Listen to this episode - Top Five Reasons Caregivers Need Fun in Their Lives and learn why having fun is a necessity.

There is nothing more irritating than people pissing you off when you’re too tired to make good choices! Responding takes a lot of work. It also takes practice. Most importantly you need to have the energy to respond and that means you have to create opportunities to let go of stress.

It feels easier to yell back, confront and stomp away because it actually is physically and mentally easier to do!

Listen to episode 105 to learn how to keep your cool and not react at doctor’s appointments. Find the download mentioned Here or at www.loveyourcaregivinglife.com

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Tracey Noonan of @dont_call_me_cupcake podcast and @wkdgoodcupcakes about her experience as a caregiver for her parents and father in law. She shares how not one, but both of her parents were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and her father-in-law was diagnosed with Stage 4 stomach cancer just a year following her unbelievably successful Shark Tank appearance, with her daughter Dani, and subsequent deal with Shark, @kevinolearytv . She shares how her life was turned upside down when she and her husband, Scott, made the decision to move all 4 of their parents into their home in an attempt to care for them, all while navigating the rapidly moving waters of a successful startup. She candidly shares the frustrations, sorrow, humor and love that accompanied this unique, stressful and fulfilling chapter in her life. 

Listen to the entire episode now and find the transcript and caregiver support at www.loveyourcaregivinglife.com

Caregiver, I see you…

You’re tired, lonely, and afraid

All you want is to be able to enjoy living with the person you care for instead of dreading life with them each day you wake up.

You deserve more!

Don’t give up on your life! It is possible to learn how to enjoy it again.

Listen to this episode of Love Your Caregiving Life Podcast to hear how. Find more support at www.loveyourcaregivinglife.com

It’s important to notice when things aren’t working for you instead of doing things the same way over and over again and then they get so burnt out they can’t function anymore. I know caregiving can shift your focus away from your own needs. However, you can’t wait for things to get easier in order to prioritize yourself because prioritizing yourself is what makes it easier. 

Listen to episode this episode to hear how to notice when things aren’t working, how I had to be reminded to care for myself, and how you can make decisions to lead you towards enjoying your life more. 

Find transcripts, free resources and more at www.loveyourcaregivinglife.com

What if I told you dates with your spouse are possible even if leaving your house isn’t.

I get is caregiving had made your relationship with your spouse… confusing.

Do you find yourself lonely even though you're both together in the same house? 

You wouldn’t even know how to do anything with them for fun because it feels like it’s been centuries since you have.

Yet… you really miss the fun times you had before you became their caregiver. 

Episode 101 “Two simple ways to love connecting with your spouse again” to learn how you can begin to connect with the spouse or partner you care for and ways to make dates happen. 

Listen to the Love Your Caregiving Life and find the transcript and more information at www.loveyourcaregivinglife.com

It doesn’t help you that one day is National Caregiving Day. It doesn’t make your role any easier and it doesn’t make you any happier. 

We don’t need a freaking day!

We need people to take what we do seriously. 

Aren’t you tired of people telling you how important they think caregivers are? 

They need to show it. They need to show up!

You shouldn’t be happy when people say how important they think your caregiving is. You should be happy when they actually do something to show that they are.

It’s insulting for people to think they can spend a day thanking us for all that we do and be expected to be happy about it. A day isn’t enough!

Listen to this week’s episode “Why National Caregivers Day is Insulting!” Episode 100 of Love Your Caregiving Life Podcast today.

Want to know why writing yourself a love letter is the best step towards enjoying caregiving?

 

How just one little act of kindness towards yourself is not selfish. Working on accepting and loving yourself is a good first step towards valuing yourself and making yourself a priority. 

Listen to this episode to learn how to write that letter and why it can be one of the most transformational things you can do right now. Find more caregiving support at https://www.loveyourcaregivinglife.com

You love the person you care for but when the fear of losing them becomes too intense what do you do? Do you start to pull away or do you find the courage to continue loving them as deeply as you can even though you know losing them will break your heart?

Listen to this episode to hear more about loving courageously and how it affects caregivers.

Find more caregiving support at www.loveyourcaregivinglife.com

Have you ever taken the time to do something just for you and feel disappointed that it didn’t go the way you had planned? That’s exactly what happened to me. In the end I realized that I can’t expect people to accept that I changed when I became a caregiver and keep myself open to other people changing as well. 

Listen to this episode “And Just Like That” My Caregiver Escape was Ruined” to hear what my guilty pleasure is and how that relates to your caregiving.

Find more caregiver support at www.loveyourcaregivinglife.com