Caring for you is essential to ensure your well-being and your ability to provide consistent quality care.  Here are some  Self To-Do’s

1. Just Breathe. Find a private space and take 6 DEEP breaths, as frequently as needed.
2. Acknowledge Your Role: Recognize the importance of your role as a caregiver and the sacrifices you make to care for loved ones.
3. Boundary Balance  by setting and respecting  firm boundaries, you can provide effective care while safeguarding your own health and mental state.
4. Encourage Self-Care:  You should prioritize your own physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Engage in activities that bring you joy and make time for relaxation. Build it into your day, every day.
5. Find a Sad Buddy. For days when the wave of sadness hits check your phone and call the friend that you can just puddle up with.!
6. Find Respite: Find someone or a service to take over caregiving duties for a short period to give you a break. Respite care will help prevent burnout.
7. Find Emotional Support: Find an ear that will listen without judgment. You need to vent, express your feelings, or share your challenges. An empathetic presence will make a significant difference in the long haul.
8. Help with Tasks: Find assistance with tasks that may be overwhelming for you. A light goes out in a closet, run out of a food, ASK one of the folks that say “call if you need anything” This provides essential support to ensure your well-being and ability to provide quality care in the long haul.
9. Connect Them to Resources: ASK. Find support groups, online forums, or counseling services specifically designed for your caregiver needs. These resources can provide you with insights, coping strategies, and a sense of community.
10. Promote Social Interaction: Maintain social connections with friends and family. Isolation will cause burnout and stress.
11. Necessary Information: Stay informed about the medical conditions. ASK for services your healthcare provider CAN offer. This knowledge will empower you to provide better care.
12. Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate the small victories and positive moments you experience while caregiving. This will boost your morale and motivation. Just Breathe.
13. Regular Check-ins:  Stay receptive for folks that check in with you on a regular basis, even if it’s just a quick text or phone call to ask how you doing. Knowing someone cares about your well-being will be comforting.
14. Time Management: Ask for assistance in organizing your schedule and prioritizing tasks. Someone with a different perspective is significant. Time management skills will reduce stress and improve efficiency.
15. Delegation: When possible, delegate tasks to others in the family or community. Sharing responsibilities will lighten your load.
16. Seek Patience.: As caregivers you will go through emotional ups and downs. Be patient and understanding, with yourself. Even when all seems overwhelming. Just Breathe x6
17. Find Financial Support: ASK!  Consider finding help with financial expenses related to caregiving, such as respite care services.
18. Have a Cry; Somedays a good cry can be healing but if doing it every day see above!

Remember that your caregiver’s situation is unique, so look for support for your individual needs and preferences. Caring for you is essential to ensure the well-being and ability to provide quality care.   Just Breathe