Indoor Remedies

There is a timeless saying; the heart will always want what the heart wants. As a caregiver, you want to provide your loved one with all their wants, needs and even more, but sometimes what their heart wants isn’t a tangible object. It’s a feeling. One way to make them feel comfortable as the weather forces us all indoors is to create some fun times with your loved one.

There are many enjoyable indoor activities. These activities allow you and your loved one to feel emotionally and physically involved in the world.  This can help offset those days when loneliness and isolation are like dark grey clouds overhead.

Here are a few indoors remedies for those blues:

v     Exercise. Just because you’re skipping the bike path or the hiking trail doesn’t mean you have to stay on the couch. Rent a gentle yoga DVD, stream an aerobics podcast, or dance to your loved one’s favorite genre of music and get your blood flowing.

v     Talk over tea. It almost sounds too simple – can a pot of Earl Gray and an hour-long heart-to-heart really be a stimulating activity for your loved one? Yes, by setting aside a chunk of time and gently prompting them to open up to you, you may be able to help them work through some of the things that are bothering them (and learn a few other things you could do to help them through this period).

v     Have an informal book club. Extra points for choosing an inspirational book, like “They Said Months, I Chose Years. “ Titles that encourage reflection and self-growth are beneficial as well; this may be a great time for an introspective journey to help identify personal priorities and life goals.

v     Explore healthy recipes. Cooking is one of the best ways to naturally support the body’s fight against cancer. Foods like Reishi mushrooms, garlic, berries and turmeric can all have anti-cancer benefits. Throw on a chef hat and buy your loved one a health-minded cookbook (Bonus tip: Double the recipe and put the second batch in the freezer. Easy-access recipes are great for heating up on days they don’t feel like cooking.)

If one of these activities sparked an idea you think your loved one would enjoy try it out and let us know how went. For more caregiving insights and tips visit:

J. Dietrich Stroeh is author of Three Months: A Caregiving Journey from Heartbreak to Healing (FolkHeart Press). For more information, visit www.threemonthsbook.com.