The Enlightened Caregiver

Introduction

Welcome, Enlightened Caregiver!

In this book, you will learn to take care of yourself first, and your loved one, in a holistic way, taking into consideration your well-being in body, mind and spirit on all levels.

Being a caregiver can be an overwhelming job, whether you are caring for an elderly relative, your spouse, a friend or neighbor, or even taking care of children. Caregiver means you are caring for someone; this covers most people on the planet. But for those of us who are in a situation where more time, energy and knowledge is required, it can be especially challenging, and often lonely and isolating. For this reason, I have written this book to provide support, information, resources and most importantly, compassion for you and your situation. I understand what you are going through.

I have been taking care of my elderly mother for many years now and I have created a routine that keeps us both healthy and happy. I am sharing many of the elements we have in place in the hope that you will find a few ideas to help you create an easier, more fulfilling and balanced experience in caring for someone else.

Just to give you a little background regarding my health practices and professional credentials – I have been studying health, healing and researching and applying natural remedies and alternative therapies for almost thirty years. I am a Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, Certified Massage Therapist, Certified Energy Worker and Certified Law of Attraction Life Coach. I was diagnosed with Lupus when I was fifteen, and after twenty-six years, I cured myself. I now help others create what they want in their lives, which often includes improved health. I have great faith in the power of nature to heal us.

There are so many elements unique to the situation of taking care of someone while you are also attempting to take care of yourself. You may think you need to put the other person first, but in this case, you have to make yourself and your own well-being your priority or you will have nothing to give. When you don’t take care of yourself, you may become physically depleted, emotionally drained, angry, resentful and eventually even make yourself sick. So it may surprise you to find that the majority of this program is aimed at you, the caregiver, and your self-care.

Please keep in mind that this program was created from my perspective and my personal experience not only as a daughter and caregiver, but also a Certified Holistic Health Practitioner and a Certified Life Coach specializing in the Law of Attraction. You may not understand or agree with everything I am sharing here and that is okay. Just know that it comes from my heart and from my experience of what has worked for me and many others. Take what resonates with you and leave the rest. My intention and desire is that you will find some valuable information here that you can apply to your specific situation.

YOU FIRST – The Fine Art of Self Care

I want to make it abundantly clear that YOU must be your first priority. Often caregivers (and women in general) feel guilty about taking care of themselves and putting their own needs above those around them.

Remember the safety speech you hear on the airplane every time you board a flight, about putting on YOUR oxygen mask first and then assisting your child with theirs? Same principle – if you don’t take care of yourself first, you won’t have anything to give to anyone else; or, in the extreme example used on the airplane, you might be dead. What good are you to anybody then?

We were not meant to run ourselves into the ground and sacrifice our own well-being for that of everyone else around us. If this is how you have been operating, the people around you probably expect you to give 100% all the time and don’t give it a second thought. They think you’re fine and that you love it. Be prepared for a little push-back when you finally begin setting boundaries to put yourself first, and perhaps even ask them to pitch in and help.

I know there may be deep-rooted issues behind allowing yourself not only to care for yourself but also to (gasp!) pamper yourself and luxuriate once in a while . . . perhaps even totally disconnect and have some fun! All I can say is it’s time to get over that and learn to love yourself. You are deserving and worthy of the best of everything. The better cared for you are and the better you feel, the better care you will be able to provide for your loved ones.

Repeat after me: “I am deserving and worthy of love, care, luxury and fun! I am just as important as anyone else and I now know that it is in everyone’s best interest that I make my wants, needs and desires my first priority.”

You are never neglecting anyone when you love yourself enough to take good care of yourself. Okay, are we clear on that now? Good – let’s move on.