How a caregiver is similar to being an olympic athlete

Send Cathy a text:)This past week brought lots of news from the girls gymnastics team with Simone Biles pulling herself out of the group and individual round competition due to mental illness.  This news story got me thinking about how this story relates to being a caregiver.  NY Times Article - Published July 27, 2021Updated July 30, 2021, 7:50 p.m. ET When she twisted fewer times than she had planned in the vault, she knew she was not herself, having lost her usually uncanny sense of where her body is in the air and failing to complete the kind of daring skill she is known for.Biles, the most decorated gymnast in the world, walked off the mat and left the competition, saying she was not mentally prepared to continue. “At the end of the day, we’re human, too, so we have to protect our mind and our body rather than just go out there and do what the world wants us to do,” she said. “With the year that it’s been, I’m really not surprised how it played out.”Think about how much practice and dedication it takes for gymnastics competition.    As caregivers, we dedicate our time and energy by managing the household, finances, working our job or business plus doing all the caregiving tasks.Athletes  practice multiple times a day plus practice proper nutrition and sleep. What about you?   If you go back to episode 42 and  episode 28, I share my morning routines and the benefits of having a morning mindset.   Getting up early isn’t easy but it pays huge dividends when it comes to your health.   You can’t be at your best if you don’t pay attention to your nutrition, hydration, sleep and exercising your mind and body.  I think about what these athletes have to  give up.    Instead of focusing on what you give up.  Think about it as delaying your time.  Simone’s Mom told her your dreams are just delayed when she didn’t make the USA team to go to the London Olympics.  You can still have the dream.  You may have to slow down, but it can still happen.  As much controversy and negative feedback Simone is getting, I personally am glad that mental illness is being talked about.   When’s the last time you told yourself I just can’t focusI just can’t function todayI am in a fogI just can’t work today or I can’t caregive todayThese are all signs of caregiver burnout or compassion fatigue.     Get this free resource:  caregiver stress.It's important to take a break.    If you're in the hospice stage, it may be a nap, a walk or a drive for an hour.  If your loved one is dealing with a chronic illness, it’s a long haul and you NEED to take respite care for yourself.  In Episode 40 is more details of respite care.Ask for help.  It’s important to do what Simone did and say no, I can’t do it.  Your health and mental well-being are the most important.  My action step for you is to reflect on your health and well-being.    On a scale of 1-10.  10=great and 1=worst.  Where are you at?  What can you do to improve your health, your mental well-being, and your situation?Taking care of yourself is NOT selfish.  It’s necessary.  Commit to yourself.  Support the show