1. Venture outside. There’s nothing better than sun and fresh air to give you a boost. Maybe it’s a walk outside. I have 2 dogs that wait to be fed and then I have to let them out. I feed the birds.
2. Journaling. I do this in two different ways. Every morning I journal my gratitude. Those 5 things I am grateful for. Some days are easy and there are days where it’s harder. Don’t pressure yourself to find perfect gratitude. It may be a robin flying by or the color of the sky. Forming this habit will shift your mindset. The other way is journaling during emotional times. You can privately express your thoughts and emotions. I feel that i can release them a bit when i write them out.
3. Self Affirmations. It can be a part of your journaling ritual. They are a mental practice. I thought at first it was stupid and silly. You talk to yourself or write to yourself. But when I started...

Before 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.  I told myself I was too tired.

By Summer of 2019, I was 30 pounds heavier.  I had digestive issues and was clinically depressed.  I looked in the mirror at me and decided enough was enough.  

I knew I had to move each day.  It was hard to start again.  I knew what to do but breaking the caregiver life routine without exercise was harder than I could ever imagine.  

But I'm working on moving 20 minutes each day.   Even with the pandemic, I knew I could still move.

What about you?   Can you find just 20 minutes each day?   YOU Can.  You have to!!!  It’s just 20.    

Let’s talk about what you and I can do in these 20 minutes.  It has to be fun or you won’t stay with it.  If you hate running - don’t run.  But if you don’t mind walking - walk.  

• Walk and make it fun by putting on your ear buds and listening to your favorite music or a podcast.  Walk with a friend.  Take the dog for a walk.  Find a trail or window shop downtown
• Take a bike ride.  Last summer I would schedule my break time and go for a bike ride.  
• What about Yoga?
• Dance in the kitchen.
• Get on an Elliptical orTreadmill and catch up with your favorite show.
• Dumbbells are a quick and easy way to tone. 
• Vacuuming and cleaning will get you moving.  
• Gardening and yard work count too.

It’s just about getting your heart rate...