I meet regularly with a group of fellow CarePartners and one thing that almost always comes up is what we do to take care of ourselves. This conversation often leaves me wondering what more I should be doing. I know that my partner’s well-being is heavily impacted by my well-being. And, this applies to his mental as well as physical health. The best thing that I can do for my mental health is to develop and maintain personal interests. I need the opportunity to remember that I am an independent and valued person with my own talents, many of which have nothing to do with caregiving.

This is so true for those of us who, after many years of marriage and outside careers, find ourselves in the role of CarePartner. If you don’t take time for yourself and the things you love, you have little to offer others. I can spend my entire day immersed in caring for my husband, as I did after a recent surgery, but then I become a nursemaid with little else to give. I quickly become exhausted and cranky and he doesn’t get even appropriate, let alone good care.

It is important to find time each and every day, even if it is just 15-20 minutes, that is your time uninterrupted to do whatever it is you want. Find activities that refresh your soul and bring value to your life, whether it is painting, yard work, or reading a good book. Give yourself a guiltfree break and enjoy it, then rejoin your partner for a wonderful day.

The Davis Phinney Foundation shares some great suggestions for self-care in the article “Parkinson’s Carepartners: 9 Ways to get the Care You Need”. Click here to check it out.