"How do you find time for yourself when so many things are happening around you? There are countless tasks to do, and it often feels like there’s hardly any time left for self-care. Most people think of self-care as taking two hours at the spa or going on a week-long vacation—focusing on the big picture. But sometimes, this way of thinking turns self-care into just another thing on your to-do list, something else you *have* to accomplish, which can feel overwhelming.

Instead, it’s helpful to find something you can do for yourself on a daily basis, something that will ground you and bring you back to your center. These small activities don’t have to be grand gestures; they can be simple things that help you stay connected to yourself and give you the strength to keep moving forward.

Ask yourself: What soothes your senses? What calms your mind? Is it something like doing Sudoku, meditating, or reading? How do you stay physically active? Is it stretching, working out, or just taking a walk? And how do you stay connected with others?

It’s important to identify the little things that ground you—those small, daily practices that give you a sense of stability and peace amidst the chaos. These simple habits can become your anchors, helping you recharge and face life’s challenges with renewed energy."

As children, we celebrate the small milestones like standing up for the first time or taking a first step. But as we grow older, we often stop celebrating these small achievements. It would be beneficial to start acknowledging and celebrating the little things in life again, including the small accomplishments we make.

Celebrating is important because it boosts our self-esteem and confidence. It also helps break down long processes into manageable, smaller parts. For caregivers, the journey can feel long and exhausting, and though it may seem like there’s nothing to celebrate, there are small wins along the way that deserve recognition.

Allowing ourselves to appreciate these moments helps us improve in our caregiving role. In the business world, every department has milestones, and throughout the development of a project, teams often celebrate these milestones during meetings. It lifts spirits, refreshes the team, and brings motivation.

Caregiving is no different. Celebrating small wins along this challenging path can offer the same encouragement and a much-needed break. Today is a good day to celebrate, to acknowledge the little victories, and to give ourselves credit for doing our best despite the challenges.

In this podcast, we interview Tara Jenkins who explains how our brains are constantly firing and making connections when we listen to music. There's a lot of science behind how music can engage different centers of the brain. Music can be a valuable tool for caregivers, both by using it with their loved ones and for themselves. Knowing the music that your loved ones enjoy is a great starting point. Besides other tips she explains how matching your breathing to calming music can help soothe you.

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