How do you practice self-care?
The “self-care” question meets with controversy and raised eyebrows in my community of caregivers.
“Take care of yourself” is a well-meant message we often hear. Many of those of us who are taking care of a spouse understand the need, appreciate the sentiment, and just wish you didn’t have to state the obvious.
The statistics of our survival are actually pretty grim. We’ve taken on a lot with plenty more where that came from as the disease progresses.
So, how do I handle my self-care?
- I got a companion aide for Burt pretty much from the beginning;
- Purpose of that: I got time to myself.
- Time to myself included a few hours on a ferry (water is very soothing); a trip to a museum.
- Also, lunch with friends.
- I went to the gym as well during my me-time.
- Less enjoyably but high on the take-care-of-yourself scale, I had doctor and dentist appointments.
- I found a therapist and made appointments with social workers from the neuro team.
- Support groups! Oh my, I attend four or more each month to vent or look for guidance or support. One is an online message board group of exclusively spouses of the Lewy-afflicted.
- I blog, not only about our situation but also on a variety of subjects that interest me and reflect who I am.
It’s a long list, and sometimes it, too, feels like an effort. An essential effort.
this is our life 