Finding the Joy
Dear Caregivers,
In my many years of working with caregivers, I have seen first-hand how agonizing your day-to-day struggles can sometimes be. You may at times feel overwhelmed, overcome with stress, or experience a profound sense of grief for all that is lost to this disease.
So my words of advice today may seem counter-intuitive: Find time to seek out joy.
We all need to keep in mind that, while we face troubles in our lives, life itself is something that we should seek to embrace for the miracle that it is. And if some of us cannot at this particular moment find pleasure in this miracle, perhaps we can at least experience a sense of wonder and gratitude for the gift of being alive. As the poet Mary Oliver writes in her famous poem The Summer Day, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” As challenging as it may be at times, being a caregiver for your loved one can give a life purpose, meaning — and even joy.
Here are a few ideas to get you started on this path.
Joyful Noise: Music to Soothe the Soul
Music is one of the most ancient forms of human communication and entertainment. Research has also shown that listening to music has clear therapeutic benefits including improving your mood, sharpening your cognitive ability, and decreasing the perception of pain. Music therapy can involve listening to music, making music, writing songs, and/or discussing lyrics. Here’s how you can achieve many of these benefits for you and your loved one from a do-it-yourself home music therapy program. And if “do it yourself” is not your cup of tea, speak with your NAN Navigator about connecting you with other resources for music therapy.
Practice a Daily Meditation
Over the last several decades extensive research has shown that just 20 minutes of daily meditation has dramatic effects on physical health. Meditation has been shown to lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and the occurrence of heart disease, while it improves the immune system and enhances physical response to chronic diseases such as diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Here is how to get started in a daily practice.
Find the Joy as a Family Caregivery
The challenge that family caregivers face is to learn acceptance, to live in the present moment, and to let go of things you cannot control. This is a challenge to be sure, but if there can be any joy in caregiving, this is where it is. Here’s how to find the joy.
Remember, if you can’t find the information you need on our website, you can always “Ask NAN” by clicking on this link.
Best,
Rosemary D Laird, MD, MHSA
Founder and Chief Medical Officer
“Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.”
— Karl Barth
