Find Self-Care Time By Getting Organized!
If we could see a video replay of our day, we would likely see that we waste a lot of time, working ourselves too hard because we are not as organized as we need to be. We have so much that must be done during the day. As caregivers, we go back and forth all over the house, looking for things, remembering to finish things, and even doing things that we may not even need to be doing. And at the end of the day, we are worn out, frustrated and hurting. But we can change these bad habits by starting each day with a plan. A plan which requires us to be more organized. A plan that can free up “me” time throughout the day!
There are Three Simple Steps to Carve Out Time For Self-Care:
Organize Your Thinking.
Get out of bed with a plan. Start thinking about the things that must be done and prioritize them in your mind. And that means prioritizing your needs. You probably start the day with a long list of things that your loved one needs your help to do. But you must start each day by organizing your thoughts to also focus on the list of things that you need to do for “you” doing the day.
Organize Your Time.
Look at how much time you spend doing the different tasks that you do during the course of a day or the week. You are likely working from sun up to sundown, but you must learn to work smarter.
• Schedule tasks at times convenient for you. You don’t have to stick to the world’s customary schedule. Meal and bath times can be determined by you.
• Do you have to do things as frequently as you are doing them? Can some tasks be done every other day, or only twice a week?
• Can your loved one do a task that you are doing for them? It may take them longer but if they are safe to do it, they have time and it keeps them engaged.
• Is someone adding other tasks to your day? Learn to say no. You already have enough to do. This robs you of precious time.
Organize Your Surroundings.
Many of us waste time going back and forth from one room to another to get supplies or other things we need for chores or to care for our loved ones. We put things in locations that are very inconvenient and then we have to go get them —and then oops, realize we need one more thing and have to go back again. We waste a lot of energy and steps.
• Place frequently used things close at hand, neatly stored where it is used. If they brush their teeth at the table in the kitchen, leave the supplies neatly placed in drawer in kitchen.
•. Take your loved one to where the supplies are located if this is feasible. This eliminates the need to go retrieve the items to bring to them.
If you do these three steps, it can result in you finding opportunities throughout the day to sit and relax and enjoy some self-care time. You may even get to the end of the day and feel less fatigued and stressed.
So start making that list of things you want to do for you. You can meet up and spend time with friends, watch a movie uninterrupted, listen to music, dance, take a walk or you can just sit and “do nothing”. That would be quite a treat!
Self-care is essential for healthy survival.
Consuela Marshall, Occupational Therapist
Today’s blog is inspired by a caregiver question to the call-in line of Caregivers Finding A Foothold podcast. To hear questions and other challenges from caregivers in our community, please check out the website FindingAFoothold.com, Episode 9: Three Ways to Carve Out Self-Care Time.
If you have a question, please call and allow this community to share hope and tips you can use. Your question may inspire our next blog! Please subscribe to the Caregivers Finding A Foothold podcast. Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Instagram.
Disclaimer: The podcast and blog are intended to provide basic information so that you can become a more informed caregiver. The information presented is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not meant to serve as medical advice or replace consultation with any health care providers you regularly engage with. Transmission or receipt of any of this information is not intended to, and does not, create a therapist-patient relationship. This information is not provided in the course of a therapist-patient relationship and is not intended to constitute medical advice or to substitute for obtaining medical advice from a physician or therapist licensed in the state where your family may reside. We encourage everyone to consult with your physician or therapist to see if they are appropriate and safe for you.