The year my husband received his cancer diagnosis, the holidays felt almost overwhelming. Before that challenging time, our anticipation revolved around traditional family gatherings packed with delicious food, wine, and sweet treats—an occasion to relax and indulge. However, following his intense chemo sessions that left him feeling drained, the holidays lost their lighthearted allure. InsteadContinue reading “Not Feeling Merry or Bright? Try These 7 Tips for Caregiving During the Holidays”
Author Archives: coachmarika
How to Overcome Anticipatory Anxiety for Spousal Caregivers
Caregiving is a journey filled with complex emotions and experiences, one of which is anticipatory anxiety. It can plague those who care for their spouses with serious illnesses, leaving them in a constant state of worry about the future and what it holds. It’s like bleeding before you’re cut–a fear of pain that hasn’t happenedContinue reading “How to Overcome Anticipatory Anxiety for Spousal Caregivers”
How to Deal with a Difficult Sick Husband
Caring for a seriously ill spouse is an emotionally taxing undertaking. It can test your patience, stir up a variety of feelings from sorrow to frustration, and leave you grappling with a profound sense of powerlessness. When your partner is frequently angry or irritable, caregiving for them can be even more challenging. If this isContinue reading “How to Deal with a Difficult Sick Husband”
Loving Your Spouse Unconditionally Through a Serious Illness
We all know what love is, and most of us know how it feels. It feels wonderful, especially when it’s effortless. Over time and often in long-term relationships, the loving feelings we have for our partner or relatives get buried beneath unmet expectations, frustrations, and daily annoyances. And when our partner has a serious illness,Continue reading “Loving Your Spouse Unconditionally Through a Serious Illness”
From Overwhelm to Empowerment: 7 Strategies to Avoid Caregiver Exhaustion
Are you experiencing caregiver exhaustion? Embarking on the journey of being a caregiver for your spouse can often feel like a lonely path. It’s not uncommon for friends and family to struggle to comprehend the unique challenges you face. Adapting to the caregiver role demands a significant amount from you, and it can take aContinue reading “From Overwhelm to Empowerment: 7 Strategies to Avoid Caregiver Exhaustion”
6 Steps to Defining the Role of Caregiver When Your Partner Is Sick
When your partner gets sick, you take on a new role: the role of caregiver. Sometimes, it happens subtly and over time. They get a diagnosis, and as the weeks and months go by while they fight the disease, you gradually take on more tasks and deal with new thoughts and emotions as a result. Continue reading “6 Steps to Defining the Role of Caregiver When Your Partner Is Sick”
The Power of Honesty When Caregiving for Your Partner
When we make the choice to spend our lives with a partner, it’s rare that we envision someday becoming their caregiver. Yet, the unpredictable nature of life means we might find ourselves in a role we never foresaw, one of being a spousal caregiver. Adapting to this role can be difficult, even for those withContinue reading “The Power of Honesty When Caregiving for Your Partner”
Caregiver Resilience: What It Is, Why You Need It, and How to Build It
When caring for your partner, building resilience–the ability to continue forward in the face of adversity–is essential. Caregiver resilience is not just about surviving; it’s about finding strength in vulnerability, joy in the midst of sorrow, and courage in the face of adversity. When my husband passed away from cancer, I attended a grief recoveryContinue reading “Caregiver Resilience: What It Is, Why You Need It, and How to Build It”
How to Make Tough Decisions as a Spousal Caregiver
Knowing how to make tough decisions quickly and effectively is an essential skill every spousal caregiver needs. When you’re caring for your sick partner, you’re constantly making decisions. You are faced with everything from deciding what to tell friends and family about your spouse’s illness to choosing doctors or treatments to figuring out how toContinue reading “How to Make Tough Decisions as a Spousal Caregiver”
Experiencing Caregiver Fatigue? These 3 Things are Draining Your Energy
Do you feel good when you wake up most mornings? Do you have an abundance of energy that propels you to face the day ahead? If you’re caregiving for your spouse, my guess is your answer is “No.” You’re more likely experiencing caregiver fatigue, waking up feeling exhausted most mornings. How much energy you haveContinue reading “Experiencing Caregiver Fatigue? These 3 Things are Draining Your Energy”