I put body first because it truly is the engine that drives everything else. Exercising, getting our blood flowing throughout our bodies, is key in maintaining a healthy brain to support the other components that make up who we are. As a Carepartner, I know how important working out is for my husband, I don’t always remember that it is just as important for me. A healthy body enables me to provide the support he needs and gives me the energy to continue pursuing my personal interests.

Once you are making sure to be active every day, find ways to stretch your mind. I do crossword puzzles and sudoku as a start, but know that if I want to grow I really need to move beyond those. I try to learn at least one new thing every day because I believe that it stretches my brain. At an age when I often enter a room and wonder why I am there, anything that will strengthen those neural pathways has to be good, right?

Finally, take time every day to exercise your soul whether that is through meditation, prayer, journaling or just spending time with friends. I can only spend so much of my time in the CarePartner role before I begin to feel burned out and lost. I find ways to take a moment in my day and reconnect to myself. My husband naps after lunch and that time has become as important to me as it is for him. That hour, while he is sleeping, gives me the moments I need to rest, reflect and refresh my soul. He needs the sleep, I need the quiet, it works great for both of us.