E200: Celebrating 200 Episodes: Unveiling the Strength Inside Every Caregiver's Story
Hello, and welcome to this special episode, a milestone, the 200th installment of the Caregiver Cup Podcast. I'm thrilled to share this journey with you and delve into the essence of our caregiving community.
Our story began in October 2020 as The Caregiver Wife Podcast, a personal endeavor to share the lessons learned while navigating the challenging terrain of caregiving. What started as a coping mechanism evolved into a passion project—more than just filling your cup; it's about empowerment, becoming your best self, and discovering strategies to enhance this caregiver life.
Let's take a moment to reflect on our evolution. We've been recognized, ranking 34th in FeedSpot's 80 Best Caregiver Podcasts and in the top 10% globally according to Listen Score. With 182 solo episodes and 18 guests, including spouses, siblings, authors, health professionals, activists, and working women, the podcast has become a diverse tapestry of experiences.
Thank you for the reviews, emails, and connections. Your caregiver stories warm my heart—challenges, victories, determination, and courage. Your feedback is a ray of sunshine, reminding me of the impact our community has.
The podcast has evolved, and so have we. A couple of heartfelt reviews emphasize the podcast's impact, proving that it's not just a listening experience but a source of inspiration and support.
Now, let's address some listener questions. Sarah, your struggle is acknowledged. Recognizing burnout is a significant step. Transform your mindset by asking why, find the root cause, and work on solutions. Small steps, like a weekly walk, can lead to significant changes.
Kaylee, your dual caregiving journey is commendable. Guilt is normal but retrain your brain. Acknowledge, find the root, and cope. Focus on the benefits of your decisions, prioritize self-care, and know you're doing your best.
Each caregiver's journey is unique. Don't compare years; focus on what works best for you....
How to reduce your caregiver stress and anxiety
Just when you think you have it figured out, there is a challenging day, week or urgent situation that happens. Reality is that there are tons and tons of variables which play into your stressors and anxiety: atmosphere, people, your love one (illness, injury, mood), your mood, outside distractions, frustrations and more.
Dr Roderick Logan from Arizona Trauma Institute shared a You Tube presentation where he uses a water bottle to demonstrate the need for resilience to overcome stress and compassion fatigue in the workplace and personal life.
How to reduce or stop feeling anxious, referenced WebMD
- Stay in your time zone
- Relabel what's happening
- Fact-check your thoughts
- Breathe in and out
- Follow the 3-3-3 rule
- Just do something
- Stand up straight
- Stay away from sugar
- Ask for a second opinion
- Watch a funny video or music
Tips to manage stress, referenced WebMD
- Exercise
- Relax your muscles
- Deep breathing
- Eat well
- Slow down
- Take a break
- Make time for hobbies
- Talk about your problems
- Go easy on yourself
- Eliminate your triggers
Identify which caregiver stress stage you are in. You can then make adjustments and find ways to reduce and manage it.
You can then start setting healthy boundaries or what I like to call self-love boundaries. Remember the goal is to find joy in your journey and take care of yourself.
What's your Caregiver Style?
This quiz takes less than 3 minutes and gives you tons and tons of valuable insights into your caregiver style, your behaviors, your tendencies and how your style impacts your caregiving and most importantly you and your well-being.