Caregiver Ideas for Respite Care

by Michelle H Smith

Finding the balance between caring for yourself and caring for others can be difficult when you actually get the free time. That's why when you are a caregiver stress relief doesn't come easy. You have to actually plan your time.

After all, when you are used to spending all your free time running a sick child to the doctor's when you do get some respite care, what do you do?

You may be tempted to do things like catch up on bills, surf the web or run errands.  But what fun is that?

As a caregiver you already do those things so your respite care should be spent doing things you actually LOVE to do.

Here are some ideas for things to do when you get respite care:

1 - Get a full makeover
2 - Get a massage
3 - Take a nature walk
4 - Go on an overnight trip to a destination you have been dreaming of going to
5 - Go to the movies (catch a double feature and don't forget the popcorn)
6 - Visit an art gallery or a museum
7 - Call up a friend for a game of cards (then visit her house)
8 - Go bicylcing through the park
9 - Meet a friend for a night out on the town

Only you know what it is that you really enjoying doing. Take advantage of your respite care by really doing something you love. These ideas may be fun for you or just to get you started thinking.  Whatever it is, make it enjoyable.

Michelle's a down to earth mom of a special needs little boy, Christopher. She spends part of her personal time helping others. Michelle is Creator of the Stress Less Recipe - a series of tips and tools to help other caregivers manage and prevent stress in their own lives. Subscribe to the Stress Less Recipe and receive bonus tips for finding a new sense of freedom today.