As caregivers, the words we say to ourselves and others can significantly influence our overall well-being. In this blog post, we explore the profound impact words have on our mindset, energy, mood, and stress levels. We’ll also introduce the umbrella analogy to illustrate how positive thoughts and skills can protect us from the rain of negative thoughts.

Why It's Important to Think About Our Words

Self-Talk and Mindset The words we use in our self-talk can shape our beliefs and attitudes. Negative self-talk can lead to a negative mindset, while positive self-talk can foster a growth mindset. Think about waking up each day. You can say, “Ugh, another tough day,” or you can think, “It’s going to be a good day.” This simple shift can change your entire outlook.

Impact on Energy and Mood Words can either drain or boost our energy and mood. Negative words and phrases can make us feel exhausted and discouraged, whereas positive and affirming...

In today’s episode of The Caregiver Cup Podcast, we’re tackling a tough but crucial topic: the spiral of making excuses, blaming, shaming, and settling that many caregivers find themselves in. These feelings and thoughts can cloud our view, mindset, and overall joy in caregiving. Let's dive into this spiral and discover how to break free.

The Reality of Caregiving Excuses

Caregivers often say things like:

• "My culture expects the children to care for the parents."
• "As a wife, that’s what we do—take care of our spouse."
• "My religion won’t let me bring in anyone for help."
• "There is no one else to help."
• "We can’t afford help."
• "My parents don’t want to be in a home, and I promised Dad I would take care of Mom."

These are true and real challenges, but they can also keep us feeling stuck. Let's explore how we can find choices within seemingly unchangeable situations.

Personal Story: Recognizing the Spiral

One Sunday, after a full...

Caregiving is a journey filled with emotional complexities, and managing these emotions effectively is crucial for both the caregiver and the person receiving care. In the latest episode of the Caregiver Cup podcast, Dr. JJ Kelly, a clinical psychologist and emotional intelligence expert, provides invaluable insights into navigating the emotional landscape of caregiving. From understanding intense feelings of anger, resentment, guilt, and fear, to practical strategies for self-care, this episode is packed with essential information for caregivers.

One of the main topics discussed in this episode is the importance of understanding and validating personal feelings. Caregivers, particularly women, often experience a range of intense emotions, including anger and resentment. Dr. Kelly emphasizes that these feelings are normal and should not be suppressed. Instead, acknowledging and validating these emotions can help caregivers manage the emotional toll more effectively. Dr....

Summer is a time for creating joy and lasting memories, but for caregivers, grand adventures might feel out of reach. However, as discussed in our latest podcast episode, there are plenty of simple, local activities that can bring happiness and connection without requiring elaborate plans or faraway destinations. From intimate picnics and garden strolls to cozy movie nights at home, these activities prove that joy is accessible right where you are.

One of the main topics we delve into is the importance of finding joy in caregiving during the summer season. It can be disheartening to see others jetting off to beach vacations or planning extensive trips while you're tied down with caregiving responsibilities. But joy can still be found in smaller, simpler activities. Personal experiences shared in the episode highlight how local picnics, strolls through botanical gardens, and movie nights at home can create lasting memories. These activities don't just entertain; they...

Welcome to The Caregiver Cup Podcast!

Today, we’re diving into a crucial topic: "Making Space as a Caregiver." One of the biggest mistakes caregivers make (myself included) is putting ourselves on hold, which eventually takes a toll on our well-being. Let's talk about how to "make space," recharge, and find your personalized well-being.

The Importance of Making Space

Caregiving is demanding and can consume every aspect of your life if you let it. Let me share a few stories (names and details have been altered for privacy), but I’m sure you’ll relate.

Emma’s Story: The Overwhelmed Caregiver

Emma was a full-time caregiver for her elderly mother with Alzheimer's. She devoted all her time and energy to her mother, often skipping meals and losing sleep. Emma felt guilty even thinking about taking time for herself, believing it was selfish. Over time, her health deteriorated—she was constantly tired, emotionally drained, and began experiencing...

When Laureen Wysocki took on the role of caregiver for her husband Kevin, who was diagnosed with young-onset dementia, her life took a dramatic turn. It became a journey not just of love and loss, but of immense personal growth, self-discovery, and a deeper understanding of resilience in the face of adversity. This podcast episode provides an intimate glimpse into the life of an opera singer who balances her career with the demands of caregiving, and it is as multifaceted as the roles she performs on stage.

Laureen's narrative is a powerful one, a blend of candid vulnerability and inspiring strength. As she recounts the challenges she has faced, we see the reflection of countless other caregivers who are navigating similar paths. The importance of self-care is a central theme, emphasized through her commitment to practices like gratitude, journaling, and maintaining a support network. These tools not only help her cope but also ensure she remains a steadfast source of...

When it comes to caregiving, the challenges are never ending, and mealtime can often feel like an insurmountable task amidst a day already packed with responsibilities. This is the core focus of the latest episode of our Caregiver Podcast, where I delve into effective meal planning and prep strategies designed to make life a bit simpler and healthier for you, the caregiver.

The art of meal planning is often overlooked, yet it is a fundamental component of maintaining a balanced life for caregivers and their loved ones. I started this practice as a working mom and continued as a caregiver. My hope  is to offer support and guidance in crafting weekly meal plans that accommodate the unpredictable nature of caregiving.

One of my best tip is on the concept of checking what’s already in your pantry before shopping to ensure a budget-friendly menu. This practice is not only economical but also prevents food waste. Posting the...

In today’s episode I want to share a recording of a Live session I did with The Caregiver Cup Community.   I shared an article I found in caregiver.com by Mary Damiano 

As you listen to this episode today, I want you to think about two things

1. What can you do to put yourself first - carving out just 30 minutes each day can make huge changes in your energy.  
2. What motivates you?  Not everyone is a runner.  Not everyone is a morning morning.  You need to find what works best for you to recharge.  So be open and listen to all the tips but then personalize it to your values and your current situation right now.  

Recharging your batteries is one of the most important ways to help your loved one.

R: Rest. One of the most important things a caregiver can do for the person they’re caring for is to take care of themselves. A caregiver who wears himself out, and keeps going 24/7 risks burnout.

E: Eat right. Take a cue from your...

In the sphere of caregiving, the concept of resilience is not merely a buzzword; it's a necessary trait for navigating the often tumultuous journey of providing care for loved ones. The latest episode of our podcast delves into the practicalities of crafting a toolkit designed for caregivers. This toolkit isn't just about equipping oneself with tangible items but also about accumulating a wealth of strategies and wisdom that can be tapped into during times of need.

The parallels drawn between the experiences of the podcast host in a high-stress corporate job and the role of a caregiver are compelling. They illustrate how life’s previous challenges serve as preparatory grounds for the caregiving role. The 'three I's' technique – Identify, Implement, and go All in – becomes a cornerstone for managing stress, where it was once applied to alleviate travel anxiety, it is now repurposed for caregiving scenarios.

Moreover, the podcast doesn't shy away from the...

I'm now 4 years into my caregiving journey.  As I look back I see 4 stages I went through and want to share these with you:  

Stage 1: THE NEW STAGE.  

• The initial news fills you with shock, disbelief and all those emotions
• Then you jump in telling yourself I’ll do whatever it takes. I’ll figure it out
• Here’s where I became obsessed with google - searching anything and everything about your loved one’s condition.  
• You form your team - doctors, nurse navigators, family support, etc
• You try to figure out the who advocacy stuff 
• You're taking care of your loved one
• This stage is focused on the NOW, the NEW and just figuring it out.  
• You just want to get going on your loved one’s care
• You are putting your needs to the side

Stage 2:  ROUTINE OR SETTLING IN STAGE.   

• Things have now become routine somewhat
• You're trying to figure out how to balance work, home, caregiving
• Workload and to do list is...