The Caregiver Cup Podcast

Send Cathy a text:) When something's bothering you, you know that getting your mind off of it is easier said than done.   In fact, research shows that when people are instructed not to think about a specific topic, it makes it even harder to get that topic out of their minds. But rehashing negative thoughts over and over in your head, also known as rumination, can be unpleasant and counterpro...

Send Cathy a text:) Sharing some conversations about my past and how our past experiences and stories help us be a better caregiver.   What are your stories and experiences that you are glad that you have now?   Message me on Instagram @cathylynnvan or email me at cathy@cathylvan.com Support the show

Send Cathy a text:) Have you said to yourself :  Why don’t I have the energy like I used to have?   Or, I am so tired all the time.    It’s called caregiver fatigue.   This occurs when you feel emotionally and physically exhausted.  You are wearing out.  You are feeling totally used up due to too many demands.  You are burning out. What are your emotional demands?   Your loved one is sick and you...

Send Cathy a text:) In today’s episode, I am sharing a clip from a live session I did in May with The Caregiver Cup Community Facebook Group .    We go live each Wednesday in this group.  Some Wednesday are mini trainings, some are just connecting and others are Q&As.    In May, I asked the community to submit questions.  Here are the questions: How do you stay motivated and keep your energy l...

Send Cathy a text:) This past week brought lots of news from the girls gymnastics team with Simone Biles pulling herself out of the group and individual round competition due to mental illness.   This news story got me thinking about how this story relates to being a caregiver.  NY Times Article - Published July 27, 2021Updated July 30, 2021, 7:50 p.m. ET  When she twisted fewer times than she had...

Send Cathy a text:) I started this podcast back in October 2020 and found a great podcast training course and coach.  Krystal Proffitt guided me through how to start a podcast from branding my name to thinking through my content to launch and marketing it.   A few months ago, I asked her if she could coach me on sitting in the guest chair which led to me being a guest on  The Proffitt Podcast Krys...

Send Cathy a text:) One of the biggest things caregivers are good at is worry.    What if Dad doesn’t take is heart medicine? What if we can’t find a kidney donor for my husband? What if the CT scan shows growth? What if I can’t get refinancing for our home to a lower rate because my partner is not employed? These concerns are legitimate and serious, but constant worry is stressful and will wear y...

Send Cathy a text:) Mary Wyatt was faced with huge adversity and a new normal  on 11/7/20 when her husband had a seizure and then she heard the words Grade 4 GBM which in layman's terms is an aggressive cancer that starts in the brain.   In my interview with Mary she shares her story, her challenges and ways she is dealing with the harsh reality of her husband’s cancer.   I know you can relat...

Send Cathy a text:) We're talking about the hard days, the days when you want to throw in the towel, those days when you just want to quit being a caregiver.  As caregivers, you're navigating unbelievably complex and time-consuming situations.   You're faced with the grimmest challenges  Your loved one is sick and you can’t fix it Your loved one is not the same person anymore  All y...

Send Cathy a text:) I am excited to share that The Caregiver Cup Podcasts are going to be coming to you on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  On Tuesdays, you’ll continue to hear from me as normal sharing motivation, tips, my experiences and insights.   Thursdays are going to be special episodes meaning guest interviews, behind the scenes and bonus extras.   I am most excited to give other caregivers an opp...

Send Cathy a text:) Stress and anxiety can feel like  carrying around a very heavy backpack.  It feels like you can’t turn off your mind whether it’s worry, anger, or the thoughts of everything that has to be done or all the demands on you.  Your chest gets tightens when you hear a text alert or a phone ring.   As working women  caregiving you are stretched and stressed at the highest levels and y...

Send Cathy a text:) Caregivers often carry around undeserved guilt, believing that they aren’t doing enough for their loved ones. This guilt can make the caregiving role even more stressful than it already is. One might ask why a caregiver feels guilty when they’re doing such a courageous job. Guilt is the feeling we have when we do something wrong.  Guilt in caring for our loved one comes in many...

Send Cathy a text:) Have you considered taking a break from Caregiving?   Taking time away to recharge?   Studies have shown that taking time away can have physical and mental health benefits.  People who take vacations have lower stress, less risk of heart disease, a better outlook on life, and more motivation to achieve goals. Taking care of an aging or ill loved one can be enormously rewarding...

Send Cathy a text:) Father's Day is bittersweet.  My Dad lost his battle to pancreatic cancer on April 12, 2018.  I was fortunate enough spend the last 17 days before he received his wings.   But this podcast is not about the last day.   It's about those special memories and the lessons he taught me.   Thank you for allowing me to share a bit about him.   If you like this episode and wan...

Send Cathy a text:) Toxic thinking can affect you more than you know. Negative thoughts rob you of joy and leave you hopeless for any positive outcome.  Your pattern of thought influences the quality of your life (and your loved ones). Your thinking can also affect your health, sleep patterns, anxiety levels, and more. When you recognize you're thinking toxic and it’s affecting your well-bein...

Send Cathy a text:) Self-Soothing is your solution to reducing and releasing overwhelm.  That anxiety, stress and pressure you feel each day. What is self-soothing?   We learn how to self-soothe from the moment we enter this world. Some of our first acknowledgments of our mental feelings and our physical bodies occur as young as a newborn. Infants learn how to self-soothe through means of thumb-su...

Send Cathy a text:) In this podcast, you have the pleasure of meeting Diana Winkler.  She wears many hats including caregiver.   You'll hear how crazy, busy she is but also her gifts, talents and passions.  Diana works her full-time job, pursues her passions and is the primary caregiver for her husband.   She shares her challenges and struggles openly with us.    Diana Winkler is a singer son...

Send Cathy a text:) Each morning about 6:30, I put on my walking shoes and grab my ear buds for my 2-3 miles walk.  One particular thing this week got me.    I kept nodding my head and walking faster and faster.  My head was spinning when listening to a new podcast.   I couldn’t wait to get home to grab a piece of paper and write down my thoughts.   I love podcasts that feed my soul with inspirati...

Send Cathy a text:) This is a behind-the-scene (fun) episode where I asked my accountability partners record an episode.  Each week, I meet with Amy and Naomi.  The weekly accountability meetings are for us to share our success, challenges and to ask questions and provide support.  Little did I know a year ago that we would become close friends. Thursday nights have become part of my self-care.  T...

Send Cathy a text:) Only when you first help yourselves can you effectively help others. Caring for yourself is one of the most important—and one of the most often forgotten—things you can do as a caregiver. When your needs are taken care of, the person you care for will benefit. How do you do this?  You have to create the foundation to succeed  Creating a foundation to be that effective caregiver...

Send Cathy a text:) What is Your Personal Brand?  Your personal brand is how you promote yourself.  It's the unique combination of your skills, experience, and personality that you want the world to see you.  You use your personal branding to differentiate yourself from other people. You're representing your personal brand in your professional role or business, with your family, friends ...

Send Cathy a text:) Feeling sad, angry, resenting life, or grieving the good old days or what you used to do.   This episode might be just coming at the right time for you.   Sadness  You see your sick loved one and can’t do anything about it The affection is different You miss the person of the past   You think about your future  As a caregiver, you’re at risk for depression.  Sometimes you feel...

Send Cathy a text:) You jump in your car and the check engine light goes on.  Well you think to yourself, should I just leave it or bring it back into the shop.  There obviously is something wrong.  How does this relate to caregiving.  Today I want to talk about resilience Things have shifted in your life, as well as mine.  Your life is not the same.  Change has happened or maybe it’s still happen...

Send Cathy a text:) In today's episode,  we're talking about the anxiety, stress and emotions you experience as a caregiver.   Just when you think you have it figured out, there is a challenging day,  week or urgent situation that happens.  Reality is that there are tons and tons of variables which play into your stressors and anxiety:  atmosphere, people, your love one (illness, injury,...

Send Cathy a text:) You wake up and are just not ready to take on your day.   You’re tired, feel emotional, a bit moody and can't get yourself going.   You sit on the toilet with your hands in your head and yawn.  You look in the mirror and try to smile at yourself but you catch yourself staring at that person like a zombie.   How do you get going?  I bet you can relate and even say "sha...