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...

Have you considered taking a break from Caregiving?   Taking time away to recharge?  

Studies have shown that taking time away can have physical and mental health benefits.  People who take vacations have lower stress, less risk of heart disease, a better outlook on life, and more motivation to achieve goals.

Taking care of an aging or ill loved one can be enormously rewarding but also exhausting and emotionally draining.

Plowing through might feel doable in the short term, but too much time without a break can lead to caregiver burnout, depression and health problems.

EVERY CAREGIVER NEEDS A CAREGIVER — someone who will tend to your loved one for a few hours, days or weeks so you can take care of yourself.

Respite Care can help alleviate some of the symptoms of caregiver burnout by providing day or overnight care services, giving caregivers a much-needed break for a few hours a day or a few days a week. 

Respite can come in many forms: from family and friends; volunteer groups; faith-based organizations; local, state and federal agencies; or paid respite workers. It can take place in the home, or at an outside facility such as an adult day care center.

Determining If Respite Is Right For You

Often, caregivers are reluctant to admit they may need respite, and deciding to allow someone else to step in as a caregiver can be a big decision. 

• Do you feel emotionally and physically drained on a regular basis?
• Are you concerned that in the event of an emergency there is no one that you trust to take care of your loved one?
• Do you find yourself becoming more agitated with things that previously never bothered you?
• Are you neglecting your own health-related needs due to lack of time or lack of desire to assess your own needs?
• Are you experiencing resentment toward other family members who could help you but don’t?
• Is your social life suffering?
• Is there an unusual change in your eating habits?
• Do you have feelings...

Caregiving is an act of love and devotion, but it can also lead to an emotional and physical toll on the caregiver. The stress and demands of caregiving can often lead to burnout—a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged and excessive stress. Recognizing the signs of burnout and implementing self-care strategies is not just beneficial but necessary for the well-being of both the caregiver and the recipient of care.

In our latest podcast episode, we delve into the intricacies of caregiver stress and burnout, providing personal anecdotes and professional advice on how to navigate these challenges. The episode begins with an exploration of the caregiver's emotional gauntlet, a silent struggle that many endure without recognition. The personal narrative shared by the host highlights the critical point of acknowledging the stress and taking actionable steps to address it.

The podcast then outlines ten behaviors that lead caregivers down the path of exhaustion. It sheds light on the dangerous pattern of always saying 'yes' and the stress of people-pleasing. This discussion emphasizes the importance of setting healthy boundaries and recognizing the limits to prevent burnout. The episode also provides insight into the consequences of attempting to control everything and the need for caregivers to acknowledge their limits.

Moving forward, the podcast stresses the importance of self-care as a preventive measure against burnout. Quality sleep, proper nutrition, and maintaining connections with others are underscored as essential elements of a caregiver's self-care regimen. Practical tips for managing sleep, eating well during busy times, and the importance of social interactions are shared, highlighting how these can support mental health and prevent isolation.

In the final segment, the host discusses the impact of stress on the body and mind, sharing personal experiences of feeling overwhelmed. Strategies for finding respite and...