- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- moms today articles
- moms today q&a
- message boards
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
 |
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Stretched Too Thin
Health and Fitness for Caregivers By Sue Marquette Poremba
Staying Emotionally FitOnce exercise and physical care is fit into the schedule, the care-giving woman must then concentrate on her emotional and mental well-being. The first thing she must do is admit that she can't do everything.
Shelly Sun of Chicago owns her own business, BrightStar Healthcare, which provides assistance for family caregivers. However, she found herself in need of the services she offers to her clients. Sun gave birth to premature twins, and caring for the babies while running her company, she soon discovered that she was wearing down. She realized she couldn't do it alone.
"It was a humbling thing to ask for help, but it was overwhelming to see how people were willing to help," says Sun.
Asking for help is one way women cankeep their sanity while care giving. Here are some other ways, according to New York State Association of Health Care Providers Long Island Chapter:
- Take time to nurture your closest relationships, as these can restore energy and alleviate some of the psychological effects of burnout such as feelings of being underappreciated.
- Take time to laugh. Find humor in everyday situations for laughter is surely the best medicine. Plus there's no copay! Share a smile every day with your loved ones.
- Make time to read. Go to your public library or local bookstore and get a book that will transport you to another time and place.
Most important, women should remember to go to their own doctor's appointments and to follow the healthy eating habits they try to instill in their children.
And if you need to take a day to yourself, do it! The world won't stop spinning, and maybe your boss will figure out how to use that coffee machine.
