In this column, I discuss the importance of both the caregiver and the recipient of care walking a mental mile in each other shoes. This requires empathy. We live busy lives, have stress and are typically overscheduled while being a caregiver for a loved one. If you don’t practice empathy, compassion, self-care, and get good sleep you might be asking for trouble. Why set yourself up for disaster, hurt feelings or problems? When working with family caregivers, I often ask both the caregiver and recipient of care to consider the perspective of the other person.
Empathy & Compassion
We are all living longer and the odds are that we are either going to need care or be a caregiver in our lifetime. Let’s do our best to make things better with setting boundaries, effective communication and asking for help when you need it. Empathy and compassion are needed for you to keep your peace of mind. Take time to think about the other person and be nice. The act of kindness goes a long way in creating better relationships.
Ask Veronica column, the San Diego Union-Tribune (click link below)
Source: sandiegouniontribune.com
Veronica‘s Caregiver Tips:
- Practice #acceptance in the #present moment
- Think about the other person’s life, problems, challenges, and can you be kind
- Self-Care – you must get good sleep & have a good diet
- Get exercise, move the body, go outdoors, and breathe
- Laughter is the best medicine – that includes laughing at yourself
- Feelings are not facts, they change! Be proactive, not reactive
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