The Caregiver Cup Podcast

Send Cathy a text:) In today’s podcast episode, we are tying it together.  Last week’s episode 125 was about understanding chronic caregiver stress (the science of why stress happens, how it happens and the impacts it has on our health.   Shortly, you will hear some habits/practices you can incorporate to wind back and retrain your vagus nerve and heal.   But one of the biggest ahha moments was wh...

Send Cathy a text:) In this episode, I’m sharing the “whats”, “whys” and “hows” - meaning when you understand chronic stress and are aware of where you are at, then you can start making changes to improve.  In today’s world, everyone wants a quick fix and the bad news about chronic stress is that there isn’t a magic pill or a quick solution to reverse this.  But the good news is there are practice...

Send Cathy a text:) Do you remember the date?  The date you became a caregiver for your loved one?  It’s not the date you celebrate or the date you really want to remember.   But it is the day your life changed.  It’s not a profession or career we look forward to or go to school for.  As I think back in my youth, I never played house as a caregiver (it was usually mom, doctor and once in a while I...

Send Cathy a text:) What  about your personal space or maybe I should say, lack of personal space now that  you are a caregiver?  When you become a caregiver, your space changes.   Does your kitchen cupboard now look like a pharmacy counter? What about your bathroom, do you have durable medical equipment like handrails, bath seats and maybe you have bandages, ointment and creams sitting out? Or ma...

Send Cathy a text:) Loving  yourself is an integral part of establishing healthy boundaries.  Yet for women caregivers, we don’t always listen to ourselves and make improvements.    If we don’t, it leads to health issues, fatigue, burnout and more.   The first step is identifying your healthy boundaries by looking at your challenges and  causes.  Then ask yourself, if it’s due to unhealthy boundar...

Send Cathy a text:) When you are trying to set healthy boundaries for yourself sometime those feelings and emotions start creeping in.  They can derail you from actually setting those healthy boundaries.    In this episode, we break down the what an external and internal healthy boundary is.  If you set boundaries with others (like your loved one, family, friends, etc) you are setting external bou...

Send Cathy a text:) Today, you’re in for a great episode.  I’m taking a break from my solo episode and bringing in a guest today.  It’s so important to get little nudges and reminders to take care of yourself.   Today’s guest is a health coach for women over 50 and my Canadian Instragram friend.  Lynn shares the importance of moving your body each day through her coaching and also shares how impor...

Send Cathy a text:) Have you said:  I have no time.  I can't manage it all.  My to-do list is never ending.  How do I get this all done?  In this episode, I'm breaking it all done:  What is time management?  Why don’t caregivers have enough time?  What the root cause is?  And most importantly, how do you management your time?   Time management is making the most of the time you have.  Yo...

Send Cathy a text:) ok, let's get real this week - how are you currently showing up as a caregiver?  Do you feel energy and joy?  Or do you feel drained and exhausted?    You are providing a beautiful gift as a caregiver and you should be proud of yourself.  But if it's consuming every ounce of your energy, time and identify, it's time to redirect things.  You can't keep going...

Send Cathy a text:) This is Part 2.  Identifying your burnout is key and being aware of your physical and emotional signs (or your lack of thoughts, actions or words).   Figuring out the why will help you better understand how to reduce your burnout.   In this episode,  I'm going through the vital steps to understand why and move you towards your own action: Focus and live in the present Acce...

Send Cathy a text:) Burnout is easy to identify if you really reflect on your thoughts, actions, and the words you say to yourself or others.  Words you say:   Things will be ok when my loved one feels better I just have to get through the next week and I have a day off to catch up. Actions:   You feel exhausted, emotional or irritable.  A little challenge sets you off - ie:  driving the car, or f...

Send Cathy a text:) In today's episode, I'm sharing a story where I overcame my biggest fears and the lessons I learned about mindset.   These lessons regarding fear, the stories we tell ourselves and reframing your mindset have helped me as a caregiver too.    Hope you enjoy it.   As a caregiver, I want you to reflect on these questions: what fears stand in your way? what stories are yo...

Send Cathy a text:) I was really debating how to start this podcast this week.  Meaning should I do the cautious and gentle start or should I just come out and say it.   Well since I care so deeply for you and i know you need to hear this, I am not going to sugar coat it.   You may disagree with me and that’s ok.  Our roles of caregiving are very different and our situations are very different.  B...

Send Cathy a text:) In this episode, we're talking about something we don’t normally talk about but it is something we think about more often than necessary.    When things don’t go well or when challenges happen, our brain likes to go to that “bad” side. It’s funny how our brains like to think the worst and we spend all that time in our heads with negativity, anxiety, sadness and worry.   On...

Send Cathy a text:) I had the complete pleasure of interviewing Kelly Carthy.   She has over 20 years experience working with influential business leaders and organizations around the world.   Kelly is passionate about facilitating and empowering change. By delivering key strategies that support leaders to be more present and discerning so they can drive effective outcomes with less clutter and co...

Send Cathy a text:) One of the biggest mistakes caregivers make is they go into caregiving with a big heart and know they need to do what it takes to help their loved one.     What happens…  you’re all in?  Care, Care, Care?  Give, Give, Give? You get so involved in what you need to do, then you realized it’s a lot.   What do you do?   You drop or let go of the things that you feel aren’t necessar...

Send Cathy a text:) I get a lot of questions from clients and caregivers curious about how I manage my caregiver stress, continue to keep going and find moments of joy each day.  In today's episode, I'm sharing my 6 personal habits / routines that I do to release my caregiver stress.   Before I started implementing these,  my stress and anxiety were causing burnout and fatigue which turn...

Send Cathy a text:) One of the biggest challenges I hear from other caregivers is they feel isolated and lonely.  You might even say  "I feel like no one gets it".  " I feel so disconnected."   " I miss my old life."   Then you scroll social media feeling more isolated and even jealous of others enjoying life and you are stuck.       You find yourself so busy that you...

Send Cathy a text:) In today’s podcast, I talk more about what is caregiver energy, finding your energy, and ways to maintain your energy while you are juggling all you responsibilities  What is energy in terms of your personal energy to perform your caregiver responsibilities, your job, household and anything else you need to get done each day.   Why is finding your energy so important and to kee...

Send Cathy a text:) As caregivers, we make assumptions and let our negative thoughts tell us that we have to be a martyr or stop enjoying life.  We convince ourselves that we have to give up happiness and joy.  Life is now full of sadness, challenges and difficulties.   Some of that is true and the good news is: joy is possible, even in your caregiver season.  It’s also one of the most important m...

Send Cathy a text:)   Spring is in the air!  You are starting to see and hear people decluttering, cleaning and rethinking routines.  Have you ever wondered why spring marks the best time to clean?  For many who don’t experience the four seasons, this may be a term or practice not used. Spring cleaning is thoroughly cleaning your home after a long winter.  It is also considered a tradition rooted...

Send Cathy a text:) I so wish I would have done it before.   Thought it was too woo woo and fluff.   Why it’s so important to share this with you.  I’m struggling and hope it will help me as well as  you. I’m struggling with stress - chronic stress, anxiety and anxiety attacks.  This year will be 5 years as a caregiver.  I have had the pleasure and privilege of taking care of my loved ones through...

Send Cathy a text:) One of the biggest regrets,  I see caregivers make is declining time with a friend.  Your friend calls or texts you and wants to get together.  You want to get out and you're yearning for someone else but you say no. You feel guilty, sad, frustrated, and/or angry that you can’t go.   Top reasons why caregivers decline:    You don’t have any time.    You're embarrassed...

Send Cathy a text:) How often have you been in a crisis situation or maybe an emergency situation as a caregiver?  It usually happens unexpectedly and it disrupts your caregiving and causes major issues or stressors.  How do you handle this?   When life throws you another challenges, your normal reaction is to think “ why is this happening to me - couldn’t this just wait?   My cup is already full...

Send Cathy a text:) In today's episode you'll hear from Patty Metropulos from Kathy’s House. You all have been listening to my journey for the last few weeks and months regarding Denis' stem cell transplant journey and where we stayed.  Kathy's House taught me so much about c ontrolling what I can control, as well as taking care of myself.  If you're looking for housing in...