E42: Reduce Caregiver Stress with a Morning Mindset

Stress and anxiety can feel like  carrying around a very heavy backpack.  It feels like you can’t turn off your mind whether it’s worry, anger, or the thoughts of everything that has to be done or all the demands on you.  Your chest gets tightens when you hear a text alert or a phone ring.  

As working women  caregiving you are stretched and stressed at the highest levels and your body and mind are going to show signs and symptoms of stress and anxiety.  If you stay at that higher level, something is going to break and affect your overall well-being.  

Find a morning routine and mindset can help reduce and release stress.

Start your day with intention and a fresh mindset.  Choose to fill your mind with happiness, gratitude and joy each morning.   

Each day is different.  If I know my spouse has an appointment, I might say,  Today, I’m going to be optimistic and grateful for his oncology team.  If I know I know I have competing priorities today and my stress will be high, I might say,  Today, I’m going to choose to take things one at a time.  

Find a podcast, audio book or music that lifts you up in the morning.   Avoid listening to news, checking your emails or social media before.   You don’t want anything to get in the way of your morning.  

Check out these resource:

• https://www.cathylvan.com/blog/10
• https://www.cathylvan.com/morningtips
• https://www.cathylvan.com/greensmoothie

When you stick with it, you will realize the rewards:

• You find yourself and start believing in yourself. Set the intention to be a better person and feel your mind, soul and body.
• You build confidence and pride in YOU by being consistent. 
• You feel a sense of accomplishment for doing something for you.  

Stop waiting for it to be the perfect time or the right place - it’s never going to be the best time to start something.    You just have to start. 

Once you move, you can see more. Once you move, you can think more.
Get outside of the house   You can then gain a better vision.  
Decide what works for you.  Be smart enough to know that you have to go for it.  

So I challenge you each day to move your body, work on your mindset and feed your soul.