“What’s in your wallet?”, a prominent brand’s commercial asks. Reframe that question with caregivers in mind. What’s on your nightstand? Before bed and upon waking, caregivers have two times per day to practice self-care. Crafting an individual’s self-care can be led by the items on the nightstand. So, what’s on your nightstand?
Books? Cell phone charger? Snacks? A journal? What purpose do the things in your nightstand have for your well-being? First, let’s look at the role of sleep and the benefits of sleep for a caregiver.
Sleep is a form of self-care because this is the time the body can reset and rejuvenate. Sleep experts suggest resting well at night is just as valuable as nutrition and fitness. Amounts of sleep needed will vary from person to person.
- To decrease daytime fatigue and yawning
- To decrease a depressed mood
- Poor daytime functioning
- To offset obesity
- To combat Type 2 Diabetes
- Helps reduce Hypertension
- Decreases percentage of cardiovascular disease
Our lives are busy, right? Some seasons in our lives will be busier than others. I encourage you to be aware of your needs and modify your self-care accordingly. Routines are a great way to interject self-care into your day. Our nighttime routine in particular is a good way to ensure self care at the end of the day and potentially at the beginning of the day. The routine you create for yourself is important to your overall health and well-being.
Photo by Bruce Mars/Unsplash.com
Factors that impact sleep:
As a parent and an adult with aging parents, my role as a caregiver can shift in an instant. Several years ago, my mother and mother-in-law were recovering from knee replacement surgery. They had the procedures done a few weeks after each other. Since their procedures were done at different hospitals and they had different post-care facilities. For two months, my family spent more time in the car driving to and from our relatives’ healthcare facilities than to our regular destinations (school, sports matches, church, and music lessons). During the day my self-care was non-existent. The only self-care I could practice was in the morning when I woke up and briefly before I collapsed at night. So during a busy season, my nightstand contained the following:
| Notepad and pen | To write down anything to-do or follow up on for my parents or me. Writing things down allows my mind to be free of it while sleeping. |
|---|---|
| Pain medication | Relieving pain due to long days, too much sitting in uncomfortable waiting room chairs. |
| Melatonin | A natural sleep aid to help shut my brain down so I could sleep. |
| phone charger | A fully charged phone is helpful because it is my direct link to those who need me the following day. |
| Facial cleansing wipes | When I am tired, I do not want to neglect my skin. Clean pores allow the skin to breathe. |
| Dental floss | Dental hygiene for healthy teeth and gums. |
| Serenity Prayer | Dealing with ill or recovering parents oftentimes requires you to call on Jesus. |
| Hand lotion | Skin moisturization and a ritual to promote personal soothing |
Ok so, I will show you what is in my nightstand. As you read, each of these items serve a purpose. This list has some staple items like the earplugs and heating pad; but, just as my needs change, so does the bevy of items in my nightstand.
| Wet wipes | Removing makeup or cleansing my hands. |
| Tissues | For sinus drainage due to allergies or colder temperatures. |
| Earplugs | Soft earplugs to lessen ambient sounds that wake me up. |
| AAA batteries | For the tv remote control |
| Peppermints | For fresh breath and aiding an upset stomach. |
| Coaster and bottled water | A coaster to set the water on and water if the air is dry and I get thirsty. |
| Hemp lotion | Hemp has medicinal properties and I use it to soothe leg pain after working out. |
| Back massagers | I use hemp lotion and back massagers on my legs and feet. |
| Heating pad | For pains related to menstrual cramps and lower back pain. |
| Salonpas | Menthol pads that aid sore muscles or stiff neck. |
| Satin cap | Keeping my natural hair protected. |
| Lip balm | Moisturize lips |
A comfortable place to land is inviting for a caregiver at the end of the day.
| *Eye covering | In case you go to bed earlier than your spouse you can block out any nearby light. |
| *Flashlight | Light for the inevitable item you drop on the floor that you are trying to find at night. |
| *Socks | These socks are so comfy and lightweight. |
The midnight snack selection includes chocolate Oreos and Brookside chocolate covered blueberries
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