Thank you for joining Theresa and Alison on this amazing journey. In this concluding episode we reflect back through our journey and we share what's next for both of us. We discuss how the podcast impacted us as co-hosts and our hope that it continues to empower caregivers as they work through the strategies and customize them for their needs. We couldn't have done this limited-series podcast so successfully without the support of Chris MacLellan of the Whole Care Network or without our fabulous episode sponsors. Circle Of Sustainable Caregiving Happy Healthy Caregiver Joe & Bella Connect ..read more

This is our bonus strategy episode where we wrap up all the self-caregiving strategies to see how they can work together for each caregiver to make a tailor-made caregiving support system. Which strategies help bring you back to your centre? Which can you use to help carry you through a difficult period? As you listen to the episode identify the strategies you are now using and how each strategy strengthens the other strategies for your unique situation. Your tailor-made support system filled with the self-caregiving strategies is available to enhance your caregiving journey. Thank you to this ..read more

Worries abound in caregiving, and often in life; and so this strategy was designed to help us take the worries out of the infinite loop that may be playing in our minds, by putting them down on paper with a solution.  Planning is an example of practical self-care which can help us clear the fog of worry we may be experiencing. By planning for the unexpected as well as transitions that come along in our caregiving journeys, our awareness and preparation can reduce the anxiety that accompanies change so that we are empowered as we navigate these transitions. Thank you to this episode’s ..read more

Forgiving can be difficult and there are so many opportunities within caregiving to forgive - starting with ourselves. We can forgive the friends and family members who may have disappointed us as well as the systems that may have let us down. Finally, we may have opportunity to forgive our care recipient. By forgiving we experience a big release that frees up our headspace allowing for more productive thoughts. Forgiving is the gift we give ourselves; but it is a process. We invite you to listen to this valuable strategy of forgiving to free up your heart and your mind. Thank you to this epis ..read more

As we talk about managing the uncomfortable emotions many face during caregiving, we visit the strategy of releasing the build-up of pressure by venting to avoid reaching our boiling point. By venting we are able to release some of the stress, the frustrations and the worries. This may sound simple, but there are reasons why it can be difficult and we explore some of the reasons why it is hard, but so necessary. Have you ever just felt like screaming out loud to release some of the frustration you are experiencing? In this episode you will hear how beneficial this can be. We'll guide you in yo ..read more

Overcoming obstacles is empowering - transforming them is taking this empowerment to the next level! In this episode Theresa and Alison discuss how we can use obstacles to our advantage and how by doing so we are empowered. In caregiving there are many obstacles. We encounter them within the systems we must navigate through. Our friends, family members and even our care recipient can present obstacles for us. There is hope though and we can become stronger by leaning into obstacles, tune in to hear more. Thank you to this episode's sponsor Susanne White of Caregiver Warrior and Susanne's book ..read more

This episode helps us stay connected to our compassion, especially our self-compassion. For if we find we are no longer behaving or acting in accordance with our values we suffer stress and regret as compassion has been depleted... or has oozed out. We talk about "compassion fatigue" and "plugging your bucket". If these terms aren't familiar to you - we will be explaining them in the episode. There is good news: we talk about how to reconnect to our compassion so we can rebuild our compassion reserves and our actions can once again come from our heart. Be sure to check out this episode's spons ..read more

What is mindfulness and how does it relate to self-caregiving? Mindfulness is the glue that connects all the self-caregiving strategies together. It helps keep us grounded, focusing on the present so that we don't ruminate or worry about the future or past which can lead to stress and burnout. How do we cultivate mindfulness? You will hear about many forms of meditation. We talk about prayer, curiosity, stillness and breathing exercises as ways to cultivate this helpful strategy. It may take effort, but it is certainly worth exploring the benefits with Theresa and Alison in this episode. This ..read more

Theresa and Alison, both certified caregiving consultants and business owners, introduce themselves and provide an overview of each of the 12 Self-Caregiving Strategies that will be discussed in the limited series podcast. There are actually 13 strategies as we've added a bonus strategy that ties all the strategies together. Whether you're entrenched in caregiving or just dipping your toes into the waters of the caregiver river, you'll want to tune in to see which of the strategies could benefit you most at the place you are now in your caregiving journey ..read more

Combining caregiving and self-care, this limited podcast series offers strategies for the listener to apply to both caregiving and everyday life. Theresa Wilbanks will present one of her 12 Sustainable Caregiver Strategies each episode and she and Alison van Schie, both Certified Caregiving Consultants, will discuss the strategy for the listener to think about and use when needed. The podcast episodes will air every first and third Tuesday of the month with the introductory episode due to launch July 5th, 2022, be sure to subscribe so you won't miss the first or any of the subsequent episodes ..read more