You Deserve a Break: Why Caregiver Respite Isn’t a Luxury—It’s a Lifeline

Last year was a whirlwind of ups & downs with medical crises with my mom. I didn’t feel I could go away for a family vacation. So I didn’t.

This year I could feel it in my bones, I needed to have a designated time & space to unplug from all of my caregiving concerns & emotions.

IT WAS TIME FOR CAREGIVER RESPITE.

Thankfully, that is exactly what I was able to do last month. Time away to recharge at my HAPPY PLACE, the beach.

I was away physically. Yay!

It wasn’t until I was away physically, that I realized I needed to be away mentally & emotionally too.

Silly me, I packed my caregiver thoughts in my suitcase, and they came out with all of my clothes.

So how did I solve this?

1. I noticed right away what I had done

2. I got real with myself, and said “a respite is a respite”, let these thoughts go

3. Gave myself permission to relax

4. Cherished my time away, as time away

When I returned home, I felt different. I had less tension in my body and a calmer mind.

How I approached my mom was even lighter since some stored-up tension was let go.

With me having experienced time to recharge, my mom also benefited by having a daughter who was feeling more relaxed and present for her.

Do you have a respite on your calendar?

If not, get it on there.

It could be a day or it could be a week.

If you would like additional encouragement and tips, you can follow me on Facebook by clicking the link!