Emotional self-care is about identifying how you are feeling and then honoring those emotions by caring for them. Practicing emotional self-care looks like respecting boundaries, forgiving yourself and others, seeking laughter, processing your emotions through writing, being vulnerable, having self-compassion, expressing gratitude, acting kind, sitting with grief, and giving yourself space to feel the feels. Below are the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast episodes, blog posts, product ideas, and other resources to help you with your emotional self-care.
Podcast Episodes
Hope for Caregivers
Meet Peter Rosenberger, who has been a family caregiver for over 38 years for a spouse with severe disabilities. Peter is fluent in the language of caregiver and has navigated a medical nightmare that has mushroomed to 85+ major operations—including the amputation of both of his wife Gracie’s legs below the knee. In this episode, Peter recounts his experience attempting to admit himself to a mental hospital, discusses why caregiving shouldn’t hinder us from embracing life, shares his strategies for finding moments of stillness and pursuing energizing hobbies, and outlines how he spreads hope among caregivers.
Embracing Vulnerability
Nicole Will cared for her grandma Betty and has dedicated her career to enhancing the well-being of older adults, their families, and healthcare professionals. Nicole’s approach blends heartfelt advocacy with strategic innovation, making her a sought-after voice in the care economy. In this episode, we discuss how vulnerability instigates change in our lives and in the care economy, tips for those looking into senior living options, the hope that is being delivered from AgeTech initiatives, healthy grab-and-go meal replacements, and why living with your grandma as a teenager comes with mixed emotions.
Shifting Family Roles
Edla Prevette is a mental health counselor who cared for both of her parents. Edla’s professional and personal care experiences are being poured into a program she has developed for adult children of aging parents. In this episode, Edla shares ways in which you can increase cooperation and decrease conflict, ideas for a caregiver’s to find their safe place, tips for handling different personality temperaments, and how to incorporate ‘exercise snacks’ into your day.
- Healthy Shame-Free Boundaries – Karen Anderson
- Healing Powers of Nature – Lisa Nigro
- New Perspectives from Caregiving – Matt Perrin
- Recovering from Burnout – Usha Tewari
HHC Emotional Support Options
- Check out our upcoming events.
- 1:1 Caregiver Coaching – first 30-minute session is complimentary. Schedule your initial session or review additional coaching options.
- If you live in the Atlanta, GA area, you are invited to in-person caregiver programs through ACAP (Adult Children of Aging Parents). Learn more here.
- Join our email list and receive support and resources direct to your inbox.
- Elizabeth, along with two other Certified Caregiving Consultants, offers support and encouragement through the Self-Care Support for Caregivers FB Group.
Articles
From The Gift Shop
Books
For a Pick Me Up
- Just for You: a Daily Self-Care Journal by Elizabeth Miller
- Self Care for Caregivers by Susanne White
- Navigating the Caregiver River: a Journey to Sustainable Caregiving by Theresa Wilbanks
- Good Grief: a Companion for Ever Loss by Granger E. Westberg
- The 36 Hour Day by Nancy L. Mace
- You’re a Caregiver Not a Saint by Lori Ramos Lemasters
- Your Caregiver Relationship Contract: How to navigate the minefield of new roles and expectations by Debra Hallisey
Other Emotional Self-Care Resources
- Digital Course: Six Steps to Infusing Self-Care into Your Caregiving Life
- Nominate a family caregiver or yourself for a free caregiver respite retreat through Brutally Beautiful (national) or Nancy’s House (PA, NJ, and DE)
- Send someone who is providing care a caregiving card created by Senior Shower Project
- Daughterhood Drop-Ins – virtual support for family caregivers
