Elder Care Cafe

Everyone needs an outlet. Caregivers are special people but they are still people who have feelings and needs of their own. Journaling is a form of therapy to help caregivers cope with their difficult and often lonely task.

Most humans are prone to keeping their feelings bottled up inside. Unfortunately doing so can lead to stress which leads to poor health. As a caregiver, you can’t afford to be in poor health, including poor mental health. A healthy, positive outlook and mindset is crucial when caring for another. In order for you to continue with the important service of caring for your family member you need tools to unlock and release those feelings.

Release pent-up feelings

Journaling involves getting your feelings out of your head and your heart, and placing them someplace safe. The sheer writing and release of the feelings begins the process of exploration and eventually resolution and stress relief.

To begin journaling, follow these 3 steps to get those feelings down and out:

1. Get a nice journal – This is important since you will be writing in it on a regular basis. Choose something that is inviting and upbeat so you look forward to spending this special time writing about whatever is on your mind. On the other hand, a three ring college ruled notebook can give you more value for the money and you may feel free to destroy it when you are finished.
2. Be consistent – Even if you only write a few sentences, write in your journal daily. Be sure to date it so you can track the changes you are going through. This often becomes important later as you move through feelings and go through trauma with the person you are caring for. You could even note what time you start your journal entry to later get a fix on how you were feeling at certain times of the day.
3. Don’t hold back – These pages are for your eyes only. If you have had a particularly stressful day of taking care of someone while trying to maintain your family life, get it out. Use that paper as a form of therapy. Those feelings have to go somewhere. You may just avoid other harmful reactions to stress like overeating, drinking, arguing with your spouse or children, or yelling at your sick loved one.

Use the journal to vent your frustrations. If you want to make sure no one ever sees what you wrote, tear up the pages when you are finished. Destroying the paper you wrote on can also be cathartic.

The benefits of journaling regularly are numerous and powerful. Here are several reasons why.

1. You can think more clearly. Get all that mess rattling around in your head out and down on paper. Once the frustration has left, you can then make informed decisions based on facts, not feelings.
2. You can live in peace.  There are so many little irritations during a day of care giving. Not everything needs to be approached and dealt with.  Some things are just bothersome, but they still are weighing on your mind. Get them out on paper and then let them go.
3. You can chronicle a life well spent. When a loved one is gone, it is a record of the good days and bad days of their life spent with you. Don’t only use it to write down frustrations but important and cherished moments you don’t want to forget.

You can also choose to keep a daybook for those feelings and experiences you would like to keep and another notebook for a stream-of-consciousness cathartic time of writing that no one but you will ever see.

There are many types and styles of journals to choose from – that’s part of the fun of journaling – choose what best suits you and your needs. Journaling is therapeutic and beneficial in every area of your life. For caregivers, it is a way to stay sane while doing a rewarding, yet exhausting, service.

Related Posts:

• 01/14/2011 -- Three Ways to Capture the Moment While Caregiving
• 12/16/2010 -- 5 Relaxation Techniques for Anxiety in Seniors
• 06/09/2010 -- Three More Ways You Can Manage Caregiver Stress