Caregiver Burnout & Crisis: Care for the Carer

While writing this episode on caregiver burnout, my mom had a medical crisis that nearly killed her. I picked up my tired and weary bones and found the inner strength and energy I needed to be by her side. Along the way, I recalled how she and my support system helped bolster me during these challenges. Each time these crises happen, it reinforces how important it is for me to give to myself. 

In this episode, I outline the causes of caregiver burnout and offer seven ways to reduce the chances of it taking hold in your life, plus three journal/reflection prompts to help you build a strong sense of resilience when caregiving feels like it’s too much. No matter what caregiver role you have – taking care of children, elderly parents, ill friends and family, or neighbors and community members – I hope you’ll find some practical (and inspirational) tips to care for yourself. 

Welcome to my reflections from the bright side of the beat.

Want to reengage with yourself and put creative self-care back on your to-do list? Head over to my website: lettheverseflow.com and sign up for my free newsletter, the Me-Time Mixtape. Twice per month, I’ll send you 3 essential, hand-curated links/resources on creative self-care tips, tools, and strategies.

Music: All music for my podcast is sourced and licensed for use via Soundstripe.

Poem: Baby's Breath

Songs in this episode: The Sensitive Hustler by Sam Barsh; Slide by GEMM; Faux Cow Chair by Tony Sopiano; Pyaar Kee Seemaen by Cast of Characters

Related Episodes:

Grief and Gratitude (It's Bittersweet) (#15)

Finding Balance: Caregiver Self-Care (#27)

The Art of Belonging: Creating Space for Yourself (#43) 

Journal Prompts:

1. If you had 15 minutes to yourself, what action would make you happiest? Do that thing for 15 minutes then write about how you felt afterwards.
2. What signs of caregiver burnout do you experience, and what do you intend to do to reduce those feelings? Write 1 or 2 action steps.
3. Write about 3 character traits that you admire most about yourself that don’t have anything to do with your caregiver role. How do they define "you" in ways that feel good?

Prefer to read this episode? Read the complete episode in blog format here: https://www.lettheverseflow.com