SEE ALL CHALLENGES PREVIOUS | NEXT
Print

Stressed Caregivers Action Plan

Often while caring for others, we forget to take care of ourselves. We don't take the time to prepare and eat nutritious meals, we don't exercise and we forego our own interests and activities to spend time with those who need us most. If you're caring for a sick or elderly loved one, follow Dr. Oz's 5-step plan to take better care of yourself.

Providing round-the-clock care for a loved one can take a toll on our bodies: stress, blood pressure, cholesterol and weight can all be at risk when we don't focus on caring for ourselves.

 

If you believe your physical and spiritual wellness to be suffering to the long-term care you're providing for another, follow Dr. Oz's 5-step plan for stressed caregivers. Visit the Action Plan to get started now!

  • Step 1: Mental Hygiene

    Identify the thoughts that are weighing you down. Many times our suffering and sadness comes from our own thoughts – not from the situation. A journal will help you to identify your thoughts and pinpoint their origin.


  • Step 2: Picture Perfection

    You can’t create something if you’ve never imagined it. Start thinking about the ideal situation in which you’re caring for your loved one – and yourself. What would your day consist of? What activities that are lacking would you like to make time for?


  • Step 3: Define Your Dilemma

    Think about what’s missing in your life and define why that is. What don’t you have the money/income you think you should? Why don’t you have the time to exercise or socialize?

     

    Define everything that’s keeping you from obtaining what’s missing. In some instances, there won’t be a clear action you can take to instantaneously create more time in the day or be paid more. But you can gather information and start to plan how you could do so. Would you need someone to assist you in your caregiver duties? Would you need to adjust your daily schedule? Start thinking about the steps needed to overcome your dilemmas.


  • Step 4: Take a Turtle Step

    A turtle step is an action so small and so easy that you can do it even on your worst day. If you start low and go slow, you’ll find that soon you have the time and energy to take bigger steps.


  • Step 5: Reward Yourself

    We are all kids at heart and we all love presents and recognition. Take a 10-minute nap, read a book, watch a movie, buy a cappuccino or call a friend and chat. Simple rewards can bring us joy and help us maintain the positive outlook to reach our long-term goals.


ADDED TO Balance ON Thu 12/10/2009