How is your Self-Care Going?

For many of us who care for/support loved ones who have health conditions, self-care gets relegated to the back burner. While we may appreciate the idea of self-care, allotting the time and brain space for it can feel like a luxury we neither can afford nor imagine. The paradox is that, if we don’t care for ourselves, we compromise our ability to function properly and to touch other’s lives in positive ways.

It is vital to remind ourselves that SELF-CARE IS NOT SELFISH. In fact, it is an act that honors the life we have been given and supports our capacity to care for others.

Self-care plays out as we get into the habit of assessing and addressing our personal needs. As caregivers and supporters to folks with health conditions—both young and older—we face challenges that can counteract our resiliency and impact our own needs. For example, see this article about caregiver stress from the Mayo Clinic. Self-care routines can shore us up, repair us and aid us in dealing with adversity, so we can lead satisfying lives that include and go beyond our caregiving role.

The Mindful Counseling Center is planning a psycho-educational program series for caregivers and supporters of persons with health conditions. The series offers you an opportunity to:

• Learn about research on caregiver challenges and coping strategies

• Focus attention on your personal needs related to caregiving

• Connect with others dealing with similar situations and share experiences

• Consider self-care routines that speak to your caregiver challenges and joys
  

  Sign up to be notified when the workshops are scheduled and registration opens