4 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD START A CAREGIVER JOURNAL

WHAT IS A JOURNAL AND WHY SHOULD YOU START JOURNALING

If your caregiving experience has been anything like what I experienced in taking care of my mom, there are never enough hours in the day to get all the things you planned to do completed. It seems as if there is always one more thing you didn’t get done, forgot to do or just didn’t turn out right.

One technique I found that was helpful to me was to empty my mind and stop any late night monkey chatter was to journal. A caregiver journal can be many things, but most importantly, it can provide a daily account of the care you provide your loved one.

Speaking from my own personal experience, the daily responsibilities of care can turn into overwhelm really quickly and that can lead to overlooking or forgetting important information.

As the caregiver your health and well being is key, as you are the guardian at the door. Journaling is one way of keeping your body, mind and spirit in balance at all times, so that you can provide the quality care needed for your loved one.

Listed below are 4 tips of how journaling can be a wellness tool and help your days be less stressful.

1- Body - Caregivers have a lot on their plates and juggling so many things throughout the day can lead to problems such as physical and mental fatigue, which can result in forgetting key information. Jotting down things in your journal can save you lots of stress later when you need to verify information such as appointments, administering medications and changes in your loved ones behavior.

2 - Mind - When you’re having one of those “mama said there’d be days like this”, moments, when nothing is going right. You’ve burned the toast and your loved one is cranky. And you get no support from family and friends who don’t understand why you’re upset and having a bad day. You can grab your journal and vent your feelings and have your own personal pity party.

3 - Spirit – When you feel all alone or depressed about your loved ones declining health and need some spiritual encouragement, try writing all the things you are grateful for - having an attitude of gratitude can work wonders in lifting the spirit.

4 - Keeping a journal can also be is a record of accountability, sometimes family members not directly involved with caring for a loved one, quite often are the ones most likely to make comments or criticism about the level of care you are providing.

Finally, by keeping a journal, you are less likely to be caught off guard and will be able to answer questions quickly and completely, and if necessary you can pull out your records, stand firm and very nicely put them in their place.

These are just a few of the reasons why journaling can be an important tool for caregivers and personally, in my opinion, YOUR JOURNAL IS YOUR FRIEND.

Got a story you’d like to share? Have questions about coaching, or have comments or suggestions – go to my contact page and send me an email at: Coachglozcaregiverwellness.com

Be Well - Stay Well -Because Caregivers Need Care Too!!

Coach Gloria

Life Strategies/Wellness Coach & Patient Advocate

Owner: GJ Brown & Associates

Blog: Glo’s Caregiver Wellness Connection

Email: gbrown1gjba@gmail.com

Website: coachglozcaregiverwellness.com