Are you burning out?  
Are you exhausted, fatigued, or just plain tired?
What’s your stress level? 
What about your anxiety level?
Are you sad or depressed?

How do you feel about your health?  Are you taking care of yourself?  Are you losing weight?  Or are you gaining weight?  

These are just a few symptoms of caregiver stress and caregiver burnout?  

I want to talk today about the ONE thing you can do.  The ONE thing you can take control of.  

I'm here to give you some tough love and hard talk.  

It’s time . Let me say it again.  It’s time.  Time to move!   

I'm here to tell you that you have to move.  

You have to even if you don’t feel like it.  Even if you're tired.  Even if you don’t think you have time.  

Start small -  just 20 minutes a day is all you need.   Or even if it’s 15 minutes.  

A study from Harvard says:   “Exercising as little as 15 minutes of physical activity a day can increase your life span by 3 years." 

Here’s another stat from caregiver.org and the Family Caregiver Alliance:  35% of female caregivers report high levels of stress.  Those symptoms go from headaches to high blood pressure to weight gain.  

Think of movement and exercise as an outlet.  A place to go to recharge, think and take care of yourself

Let me share my story.   

Pre-caregiving, I was very active.   I went to the gym 5-6 days a week.  Prior to my Dad and Spouse getting their cancer diagnosis in Sept 2017, I was training for my 9th half marathon.  

It was a habit and routine I stuck with since I felt better.  I watched what I ate.  Don’t get me wrong, there were days I didn’t want to get up and move my body.  But when I did, I was happier.   

Then Sept 2017 came and I thought I didn’t have time. ...

Self-care is often an important action and ritual for the stresses of modern life, but for caregivers, it's not just a luxury—it's a necessity. This podcast episode delves into the art of self-care, specifically tailored for those who spend their days caring for others. The conversation begins with a reflective look at the past year, urging caregivers to assess their 2023 journey and set intentions for a rejuvenated 2024.

Listeners are walked through a visualization exercise aimed at confronting overwhelming feelings, a common morning greeting for many caregivers. The power of this mental exercise lies in its ability to create a resilient strategy for managing stress. It emphasizes that while caregiving can be an all-consuming role, the caregiver's well-being is paramount and deserves equal attention.

The episode's narrative continues by likening the caregiver's energy to a phone battery—underscoring the need for regular recharging to maintain optimal functioning. The speaker touches on a poignant truth; self-care isn't an indulgence but a necessary aspect of maintaining both physical and mental well-being. Furthermore, it posits self-care as an essential component of a caregiver's responsibilities, challenging the notion that prioritizing oneself is a selfish act.

In discussing the transformative power of incremental steps towards self-care, the episode sheds light on the speaker's personal journey. By integrating simple actions like hydrating more, starting a journal, and slowly building a routine, caregivers are shown a practical roadmap to enhancing their quality of life. Tracking progress is highlighted as a tool for celebrating growth and positivity, reinforcing the idea that every small step is a significant leap towards better health and vitality.

As the episode progresses, listeners are encouraged to identify and implement small self-care actions into their daily routine. It acknowledges the common excuses of tiredness and...