Schurig Center for Brain Injury Recovery

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November is National Family Caregivers Month

November is National Family Caregivers Month

At Schurig Center, we know how important family caregivers are! Every day, we see the love, commitment, time, and support family caregivers provide their loved ones as they navigate life after brain injury.

It’s wonderful that an entire month is dedicated to honoring family caregivers and providing education to the community about how much caregivers offer those in need of help.

Did you know?

  • Family members provide over 75% of caregiving support in the United States.
  • 44 million Americans care for a family member, friend, or neighbor.

When a person experiences a brain injury, it can affect the entire family. Providing physical, emotional, and financial care is a daily reality for millions of American families and it poses a great strain on the caregiver, many of whom are struggling to balance work and family responsibilities. Caregivers are heroes that deserve honor and recognition for all they do.

Please join us this month in celebrating and thanking these heroes who do so much to keep our families and communities strong, each and every day.

Here’s just a few ways
to celebrate your family caregiver…

Start by saying “thanks.”

A “thank you” can go a long way in showing your love and appreciation. It can be as simple as sharing a heartfelt “thank you” in person or in a card, poem, letter, or note.

Give them a day off.

Plan a date to give your caregiver a day to do whatever they want. If it’s challenging to manage your daily tasks without your caregiver, consider hiring temporary help as an alternative or ask a family member of friend to help out for the day.

Give a thoughtful gift.

Think about what your family caregiver would appreciate most. Flowers, a gift card, a book or even a favorite coffee drink are all wonderful gifts that show your appreciation for all of their hard work.

Spend some quality time together.

Quality time with your caregiver can be a great way to remember your shared bond beyond the daily routine of caregiving. Watch a favorite movie together, play a board game, look through old photo albums, or sit together in the park. Spend some time together doing something that brings you both joy.

Remind them to take some time for themselves.

Family caregivers are less likely than non-caregivers to practice preventive healthcare and self-care behavior. Give your family caregiver the nudge they need to take some time out of the day for themselves. Whether it’s 15 minutes or a couple of hours of taking a nap, reading a book, or exercising, a little bit of ‘me’ time will go a long way to help your caregiver recharge their battery.

If you are a caregiver, please remember…
You are not alone. We are here to help!

Schurig Center offers services to support family members in adapting to the life changes that result from a brain injury, including resource referral assistance, consultation and a Family and Caregiver Support Group.

For more information, contact our Resource & Intake Specialist at:
(415) 461-6771 x100
resources@schurigcenter.org

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Commit to a 30-Day Self-Care Challenge

Do you ever forget to take care of yourself? Many of us do, especially if we are care giving for a loved one or work in a “helping” profession. Finding time to take care of ourselves can be hard. But, routinely putting the needs of others before our own can lead to depression, burnout, and other health issues.

Self-care isn’t selfish.
It’s essential.

By taking a few time-outs daily for yourself to reduce stress and improve your well-being, you’ll find you are able to be more fully there for others.

Remember…
You can’t pour from an empty cup.
You must fill your cup first.

Self-Care Awareness Month in September is a perfect time to renew your commitment to making self-care a part of your daily routine. The term “self-care” may conjure up visions of expensive spa days or vacations. However, there are many simple, inexpensive ways to integrate self-care into our daily lives, and there are no “rules.” Just do an activity that you find enjoyable or relaxing and practice being good to yourself.

50 Simple Ideas to Make Self-Care Part of Your Day

  1. Meditate for 5-10 minutes
  2. Write down 3 things you’re grateful for
  3. Sit down at the table for breakfast every morning
  4. Read for 15 minutes before bed
  5. Light incense or a candle
  6. Do something creative without caring whether it’s “good”
  7. Stretch
  8. Write down one thing each day you love about yourself
  9. Watch 30 minutes of that show you’ve been meaning to catch up on
  10. Cook a special meal for yourself
  11. Take a walk rain or shine
  12. Get up 20 minutes earlier than your regular time
  13. Spend 15 minutes organizing a space in your home
  14. Give yourself a facial
  15. Go on a short bike ride
  16. Stay hydrated, drink half your body weight in ounces of water
  17. Eat a piece of fruit each day
  18. Forgive yourself for what you couldn’t do today, and resolve to try again tomorrow
  19. Treat yourself to a gift, even a small one, just because
  20. Sit down and enjoy a crossword or sudoku Puzzle
  21. Take a different way to work
  22. Wake up slowly…don’t check email in bed
  23. Buy fresh flowers
  24. Listen to an inspiring podcast
  25. Make time for play
  26. Watch “how-to” videos on something you’ve always wanted to learn
  27. Spend 15 minutes listening to your favorite music
  28. Cuddle with a pet
  29. Text a friend and let them know why they matter to you
  30. Take a bubble bath
  31. Watch sunset or sunrise
  32. Take a photo of something that makes you happy
  33. Write down one thing each day that made you laugh
  34. Spend 15 minutes drawing or doodling
  35. Make tea before bed
  36. Give yourself a hand and foot massage
  37. Take a power nap
  38. Meet a friend for lunch who you haven’t seen in a while
  39. Take a walk without your phone
  40. Go to the local pool
  41. Start your morning with fresh juice or a smoothie
  42. Walk 10,000 steps
  43. Take 10 deep breaths in and out in the morning and before bed
  44. Try Qi Gong
  45. Go to a park
  46. Visit the library
  47. Unplug and unwind…Turn off all electronics early
  48. Set a bedtime and stick to it
  49. Do something spontaneous or out of the ordinary
  50. Make time each day to do absolutely nothing!

Schurig Center logo

1132 Magnolia Avenue
Larkspur, CA 94939
(415) 461-6771
501(c)(3) Charity #68-0105213
Legal Name: Marin Brain Injury Network



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