It’s April. That means it’s Parkinson’s Awareness Month. During this month, organizations typically focus on fundraising activities and educating the public about the disease. But I’d like to take this time to celebrate and recognize the behind-the-scenes “Support Team.”
The diagnosis of PD affects every single member of the family. I have so many brave support families calling me with questions, showing up in classes, social events, and volunteering. I get to know them very well, and they are truly amazing.
Support comes in a variety of forms – attending doctor appointments, helping research PD, discussing the future, giving hugs, assisting your sweetheart bathe, driving to appointments, and so much more. Wherever you are as a supporter in this continuum, you must take care of yourself too!
Some supporters are good at taking time for hobbies and themselves, others feel overwhelmed and don’t think they have time. However, if you don’t take the time for yourself, you will burn out, and you won’t be able to care for your loved one as you would like to.
Fill Up Your Emotional Tank
The key to taking care of yourself is to know what you need to fill up your tank when you’re getting low. Try this exercise.
List 5 things that fill you up, energize you, and/or you have fun doing for each category. Do at least one of this activities once a day – even if it’s just 10 minutes. Who doesn’t have 10 minutes?
- 5 things you can do in under 10 minutes. Some examples: Call a friend, go outside, read
- 5 things you can do in under 10-30 minutes. Examples: Write, take a walk, do crafts
- 5 things you can do that take over 30 minutes. Some ideas: Shop, have lunch with a friend, make jewelry.
I have used this exercise in my own life to keep my emotional tank full. When I started painting again, people asked, “When do you have time to do that?” My first instinct was guilt. I thought they meant, “You mean you don’t care about others all the time, you are selfish”. Then I quickly realized it was amazement and admiration that I found the time to take care of myself and it was a positive reaction. Please don’t fall into the guilt trap.
Here are some things my fighters’ support partners have found to fill their tank.
Linda B. started quilting and it changed her life.
One wife gets in-home help one day a week so she can golf with friends.
Others find doing fun things with their sweet heart fills them up. Cheryl and Jim use my boxing classes as a “date” twice a week. They dance/sing in class and stop for a smoothie on the way home. They also have a small farm with animals they tend together.
Ken and Kathie Hill started watercolor paint classes to their schedule for something they can do together.
The better you take care of yourself, the more you can give your family.