Whether you’re a new caregiver or have been caring for a loved one for years, you likely have experienced some amount of frustration, fatigue, or anxiety. Oftentimes, one can become so focused on the people they are caring for that they don’t realize when their own health is starting to suffer, and don’t make time for managing their own caregiver stress.
In a six-part event series hosted by The Kensington, naturopathic physician and inspirational speaker Dr. James Rouse has taken our community through a journey to healing from burnout and living a life you love.
Dr. James uses his own success story to inspire others, teaching them that no matter what your past is, you can build a better future. Read on to learn more about the importance of managing caregiver stress.
Energizing Steps to Cultivate Soulfulness as a Caregiver
In Dr. James’ six-part series to cultivating “soulFULLness,” he introduces self-care and discusses empowering daily practices, how to carve a new future, and how to maintain all the work you have done.
We’ve covered the highlights for you here. You can also watch the event recordings on Kensington Konnect, under Wellness.
Self Care is Not Selfish
Do you feel like self-care is selfish, especially as a caregiver supporting someone else? Self-care does not equal self-indulgence. It means allowing yourself to become a loving priority on your to-do list, because you need and deserve care just as much as those you are caring for.
Set the daily intention to begin each day with a simple act of self-care to establish a new, healthy routine.
Watch the recording: A Caregiver Guide to Cultivating SoulFULLness with Dr. James Rouse
Empowering Practices to Nourish Your Mind/Brain
To establish your new self-care routines, focus on diet, movement, meditation, purpose, and spirituality. These powerful tools will help you create a life you will love, nourishing you from the inside out.
Implement simple rituals, including those tools, that can easily be integrated into daily life. Discover which aspects serve you, and how they can work for you. If you’re overwhelmed, start small and gradually build the practices into your routine.
Watch the recording: Cultivating SoulFULLness with Dr. James Rouse – Week 2
How to Make, Circulate, and Radiate Good Energy When You’re Exhausted
Have you ever heard of caregiver burnout? This can happen when you try to do more than you’re able, or when you aren’t getting the help you need. A caregiver needs a strong support group, and if you’re trying to do it all, your health might start to suffer.
It’s possible to create and sustain inspiring energy that will lift you out of burnout. You can be the person you want to be, by learning to focus on the aspects you are able to control and pulling out your empowerment tools to support you.
Watch the recording: Cultivating SoulFULLness with Dr. James Rouse – Week 3
Learn to Decrease Stress and Increase Longevity During Chaos
Despite what you are going through, is it possible to find peace no matter what?
In working to find this peace in yourself, you will never again lose your way because you will always have the tools ready to center yourself in the midst of your struggles. You can create a space of grace and peace in the middle of your chaos.
Discover which empowering tools lead you back to peace — whether it’s prayer and meditation, exercise, or another tool — and consistently use these in times of stress.
Watch the recording: Cultivating SoulFULLness with Dr. James Rouse – Week 4
Change the Trajectory of Your Life With Actions and Words
No matter your past, you can build a new future. By building a new biology of belief, you can transform the ways you live and respond to stress and chaos. You can maintain your best self.
What does it mean to clean our “dirty genes”? Dr. James introduces this term to caregivers to teach how it’s possible to completely change the trajectory of your life with powerful, consistent actions and words — no matter what your past looks like.
Live as the Best Version of Yourself Every Day
By creating strong daily rituals, focusing on the best version of you, and striving to use your tools in times of chaos and stress, you will never lose your faith or willingness to continue on your path to improvement and fulfillment.
How Important is it to Manage Caregiver Stress?
If you find yourself feeling sick more often, withdrawing from friends and family, losing interest in things you used to enjoy, or feeling exhausted and hopeless, you may be experiencing caregiver burnout.
Caregivers need to remember that caregiver burnout doesn’t just affect them, but affects the ones they are caring for as well. Given this perspective, some caregivers might be able to better appreciate the seriousness of getting the help they need.
If you’re burned out, what can you do? Consider these suggestions:
- Ask for help and support from family or friends
- Take small, frequent breaks
- Consider a home health aide or assisted living community
- Journal your feelings
The Kensington and You – Supporting Caregivers and Families
The Kensington Falls Church hosts ongoing events for our community, including inspirational speakers such as Dr. James, experts in the field of Alzheimer’s and dementia research, and a continuous caregiver support group.
These community events help us share relevant information and support to those who need it. In order for us to provide the best care to our residents, we need to be up to date on the latest medical and memory care research. Our memory care community was thoughtfully created to provide the best care for your loved ones experiencing various stages of memory loss.
Having this community ensures your senior loved ones can truly be at home at Falls Church, and properly “age in place” where no matter how their illnesses progresses, we can accommodate them.
Reach out to us today to learn more about our community, our team, the professional, loving care we provide, and Our Promise to love and care for your family as we do our own.
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To learn more about our exceptional assisted living and memory care at The Kensington Falls Church, click below or give us a call today for any questions. We promise to love and care for your family, as we do our own.