In this episode, host Elizabeth Miller shares the steps she took to begin to be intentional about her self-care while caregiving. She breaks up the process into eight themes that she evolved into a 8-week action plan. She also shares about her writing journey and the book she is currently working on.
Listen to the show: Prioritize your own health & happiness
Words of Encouragement
Each episode starts off with a few words of inspiration or motivation that is pulled from the Happy Healthy Caregiver Jar.
Links & Resources Mentioned
- Join the Happy Healthy Caregiver Community and have access to the 8 week action plan described in the show as well as other helpful resources and a community of family caregivers (currently complimentary i.e. FREE)
- The picture that inspires Elizabeth and hangs on her vision board in her closet and the cartoon version of it for her original blog.
- More information around asking for help and setting boundaries
- Follow Elizabeth’s posts and stories on Instagram
- Resources that helped Elizabeth create her website and her grow her community included: Pat Flynn and Flipped Lifestyle
- 8 Themes from the Happy Healthy Caregiver Community Action Plan include:
- Create-time for self-care
- Be a goal digger
- Move more
- Food for fuel
- Mental growth and hobbies
- Build a supportive tribe
- Think and stay positive
- Recognition and celebration
- More information about National Caregiving Conference 2018 and Elizabeth’s presentations.
- Elizabeth’s sister Susie’s Caregiver Spotlight episode
- The Question a Day journal Elizabeth is currently using:
- Ask to be put on the waiting list for Elizabeth’s question a day self-care journal. It’s going to be an amazing daily companion to help you be intentional about your personal health and happiness. Samples of the questions you will find in this journal include:
- Even though I may not be able to change my situation, one step I can do to take a step in the right direction would be to __________________.
- What was the last thing you said ‘no’ to?
- When you envision your future what do you see?
- What local attraction have you never visited but want to?
- What is your favorite vacation spot?
- What is one habit you are trying to add to your life?
- Describe the ingredients in your favorite salad?
- If you could make a living do anything what would you do?
- What is something you could do today that your future self would thank you for?
- What hurdle have your recently overcame?
- In what ways may you be currently sabotaging your own health and happiness?
- If you could choose one superpower what would it be?
- How would you spend a day you had all to yourself?
- What would make you feel spiritually fulfilled?
- Do you have a potential title for the question-a-day book? Should it be a one-year or multiple-year journal? If so, let me know!
Favorite moments from the show
Through these experiences I’ve uncovered my ‘why’ I created Happy Healthy Caregiver. I’ve witnessed it done this way and I don’t want to do that so I’m disrupting that norm of ‘hey take care of everybody else and put yourself last or until you have time’. Instead, I’m saying ‘no, I’ve seen this and it doesn’t work ‘and putting myself first is important.
Stay in touch
- Instagram: HappyHealthyCaregiver
- Join the Happy Healthy Caregiver Facebook Group and our Facebook Page
- Twitter: @HHCaregiver
- Subscribe to the Happy Healthy Caregiver newsletter to stay up to date on the latest posts & events.
- Email me with questions or comments about the show or to request information about sponsoring the show.