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Take care of yourself first
In order to care for another, you need to have enough physical and emotional energy. Fir example getting adequate rest, enjoying your hobbies are essential.
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Accept current circumstances
Don’t waste your energy trying to think your way out. Be realistic and make sensible choices.
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Self-review
From time to time evaluate your emotions, use of time, self-care and personal goals. Make changes as needed.
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Obtain help for yourself
It is difficult to see those you love decompensating physically or psychologically. Finding community resources to assist.
Posts from ‘January, 2010’
5 more ways to caregive for elderly parents
5 ways to caregive for elderly parents
The following are 5 tips on how to be a healthy caregiver, when caring for elderly parents.
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Set boundaries
It is important to set limits after deciding what you will, won’t or can’t do. Setting limits does not mean that you are a bad caregiver. It means you are conscious of the responsibilities of being a caregiver. Being an effective caregiver means that you are able to take care of yourself so that you can care for others.
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Live in the moment
Avoid negative thoughts such as “what if” and do what is right for you. Accept that you cannot control others all the time. Avoid unnecessary worry.
10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s Disease
As many as 5.3 million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer’s Disease http://www.publicspark.com/2008/03/24/what-you-need-to-know-when-your-loved-one-has-alzheimers-disease-part-i/. Recognizing warning symptoms is an important step in getting treatment for a loved one who may have Alzheimer’s disease. After recognizing symptoms, it is important to consult with a physician.
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Memory Loss
While everyone forgets a name or a task, frequent forgetfulness with confusion is a sign that something is wrong.
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Difficulty performing normal and familiar tasks
For example, making a complete dinner (which is a nightly occurrence) and then forgetting to serve it.
5 additional ways of dealing with your anxiety
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Rely on your support system
A support system could consist of your therapist, physician, family members, friends, people of your church, co-workers, etc. It is important to surround yourself with positive people, as they can be a positive influence.
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Humor
Laughter is the best medicine does have some truth. Laughter is a great stress reliever. Smiling a lot can also make someone feel better.
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Good nutrition and adequate sleep
Caffeine can increase your anxiety. Balancing your diet with vegetables, proteins, vitamins can help you feel emotionally better. Also it is important to get adequate sleep every day. Lack of sleep can leave people feeling groggy, angry, and anxious.
5 more ways of dealing with your anxiety
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Exercise
Walking, running, or any type of aerobic exercise is a good stress reliever. It decreases muscle tension and gives you more energy.
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Using positive self-talk
Talking to yourself contributes greatly to how you feel. Positive affirmations like “I will have a good day” goes a long way.
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Keeping a journal
This is one way of venting your feelings and frustration. Writing down your thoughts can also help declutter ideas that may be contributing to your anxiety.
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Confront phobias
There may be fears or phobias contributing to your anxiety. It is important to work with a professional therapist in combatting phobias depending on the severity.
5 ways for dealing with anxiety
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Identify source of anxiety
Recognize symptoms of anxiety. How often do you get them? In what situations?
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Confront anxiety
Motivate yourself to understand issues related to your anxiety.
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Relaxation skills
Anxiety can contribute to becoming physically stressed, but the body is connected in such a way that when a body is stressed it cannot be relaxed. Therefore, when a body is relaxed it cannot be stressed. Techniques that promote relaxation include progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing, visualization, and meditation.
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Problem solve
Deal with issues, creating your anxiety that you can do something about. For those that you can’t do anything about learn to let go.
5 ways of dealing with fear
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Talk to someone
Opening up about your fears can decrease distress. Also keeping your fears hidden, won’t allow for opportunities of help to come by.
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Focus on the little things
Little by little is much easier. Figure out how to combat your fears by giving yourself small baby steps. For example, combating your fear by sky diving may not be a good baby step.
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Find positive role models
They can be inspirational and provide key ways in helping you deal with your fears. Their courage can be calming and contagious.
4 steps to take to persevere
“It took me fifteen years to discover that I had o talent for writing, but I couldn’t give it up because by then I was too famous.”-Robert Benchley
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Focus on your goal
It is important to constantly remind yourself of your goals and your plan in achieving them. Perseverance is about reminding yourself of what you really want in life. Sir Isaac Newton was asked how he discovered the law of gravity and he replied, “By thinking about it all the time.”
3 essential steps to reach your desired career
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Identify the desired result
Write out things you are passionate about. Ask yourself: What do you want to do? Why do you want to do it? What makes you happy?
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Determine the skills
List skills that you will need to achieve your career. If you are going to become a physician you will need to take pre-med courses, attend medical school, complete residency. Others may pick a completely different career path. Perhaps you want to be a professional musician in which you need to practice daily, perform, network with entertainment, create demos, find a agent, etc.
5 more ways to cope with panic attacks
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Stay in the present
Focusing on objects in the present moment will help minimize the attention you might have towards things triggering your panic.
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Engage in simple repetitive activity
For example, place a wet towel on your face, sing, unwrap and chew a piece of gum.
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Practice abdominal breathing
By breathing through your abdomen slowly you can decrease respiratory rate and reduce symptoms of hyperventilation.
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Practice muscle relaxation
There are many forms of muscle relaxation. For example tighten your forehead muscles by raising your eyebrows as high as you can and hold for about 10 seconds and then relax for 15-20 seconds. Can repeat with muscles in your back, shoulders, bicep muscles, etc.
