Journaling is a fantastic way for someone to clear their mind, focus on their own needs, and listen to what their inner self is telling them. For family caregivers, finding the time and energy to journal regularly might feel impossible, but the irony is that journaling can help them to be better family caregivers. Taking advantage of the free time respite care provides might just be the solution to help family caregivers journal for themselves more often.
Types of Journaling
There are so many different types of journaling and no one type is the “right” way to keep a journal. Some people keep gratitude journals that are literally just lists of things they’re grateful for over time. Other people keep detailed notes about their lives, conversations, and important events. Still other types of journals might be devoted to deciphering dreams or jotting down ideas. What all of these types of journals have in common is that information leaves the person’s head and is captured on paper or in a digital format.
Benefits of Journaling
Regular journaling, particularly about emotions and emotional situations, can reduce stress and increase overall well-being. This type of journaling might help someone to process a difficult situation, for example, like a loved one experiencing a health setback. Journaling also serves as a record that can capture memories. The brain doesn’t always recall every single detail of an event over time, but a journal entry written right after the event usually brings all the memories back. Keeping a journal helps people to get to know themselves better, which is an important part of daily life.
Developing Coping Mechanisms as a Family Caregiver
Family caregivers in particular are under a lot of stress. Even with the help of home care providers, family caregivers might find themselves trying to take care of every single task. Developing coping mechanisms that help them to slow down and really examine what they’re thinking and feeling can do so much to make being a family caregiver easier.
Creating Space to Journal
The biggest barrier to journaling is often that family caregivers don’t have the space in which to regularly keep track of their thoughts and feelings. This isn’t about literal space, but more about the ability to step back from their busy days and to-do lists and journal without feeling pulled to do things for others. Respite care is about helping family caregivers create space for journaling and so much more.
Making Time for Other Self-care Tasks
Ultimately, journaling is just one piece in the entire puzzle that is self-care. When family caregivers are able to take better care of themselves, they’re better able to return to caregiving with a fresh perspective and better energy. Respite care allows family caregivers to explore more of what they need to take care of themselves well, whether that’s journaling, making time for friends, or even catching up on sleep.
Keeping a journal might be something that family caregivers do for the rest of their lives or only during stressful periods of time. It’s really about using the tools they have to meet their needs, and respite care is another one of those tools that can serve family caregivers well.
If you or an aging loved one is considering respite care in Hinsdale, IL, please contact the caring staff at Suburban Home Care today at (630) 964-9000.
There are several great reasons why Suburban Home Care® should be your choice for quality homecare. All of our Certified Nursing Assistants and Home Health Aides are screened, trained, bonded and insured.
Every family needs to be aware that almost every Homeowner’s insurance policy specifically excludes anyone working within your home. If the person you hire becomes injured while working for you, you will become personally responsible for all of their medical bills. This has left several families very vulnerable when their caregiver injured themselves at their home.
The potential to lose everything you have worked so hard to achieve seems an unnecessary risk. Every one of Suburban Home Care®’s employees are completely covered by insurance so you and your loved ones can relax knowing that if something unforeseen happens to your caregiver, they are completely covered by insurance.
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