October is Emotional Wellness Month

By Marlene Diaz | September 15, 2016 |

Caregiver Kirkland WA

As a family caregiver, you are likely to be very focused on the health and well-being of the loved one you are caring for. While this is very important, it may cause you to ignore your own health and emotional needs. October is observed as Emotional Wellness Month to encourage all Americans to check in with themselves and think about their own emotional health. This is especially important for family caregivers who are under stress, feeling anxious, are depressed, or are feeling guilty. When these feelings go ignored, they can often become chronic and even harmful to health. Remember, a caregiver who makes sure that their own health and emotional needs are met, will be a better caregiver in the long run.

If you feel like your emotions are in need of nurturing, here are a few things you can try this month and all year long.

* Start a Journal

Do you have troublesome feelings and you aren’t sure how to manage them? Are you wondering if your sadness is just a phase or if you could be at risk for depression? If you have these questions and more, sometimes you can discover the answers through journaling. Try to take a quiet moment out of each day to write down your thoughts and feelings. Are you feeling overwhelmed or anxious? Did something special happen today? Is there something that you would like to remember about this day? These are all great things to write about in a journal. In addition, looking back at entries can help you to become aware of things that trigger your stress, anxiety, etc., and it may even reveal if your negative feeling are ongoing.

* Try a New Relaxation Technique

Making time to relax and relieve stress is important for all family caregivers. There are many options when it comes to relaxation techniques, so make it your goal to give at least one of them a try this month. You just may discover one that is effective for you and one that can become a habit in your life. Some great examples include mindfulness meditation, deep breathing, yoga, tai chi, and visualization.

* Make Time for Exercise

Exercising regularly has been shown to have great effects on mental and emotional health. This month, try starting a new exercise routine that you can be consistent with such as taking 20 minute walks 3 times a week, attending a weekly group exercise class, or doing an exercise video twice a week while at home.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Caregiver Services in Kirkland WA, contact the caring staff at Hospitality Home Care today. Call us at (206) 966-6552.

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Marlene Diaz

Care Supervisor at Hospitality Home Care

Marlene brings to Hospitality Home Care's Care Supervisor Team an unprecedented level of passion for caring for others and a wealth of knowledge and understanding in the care services field. Marlene has worked in the healthcare field for more than 15 years in a variety of settings including, adult family home administration, home care HR supervising and working with specialty populations including dementia, mental health and developmental disabilities. Throughout this time Marlene has also maintained her caregiver credentials that she obtained as a teenager because, while her knowledge is best served helping to train caregivers and assist families to get the care they need, her heart is most fulfilled when she is providing care to others. When she is not in the office, you will most likely find Marlene caring for her family, or spending time with her friends.