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Caring for the carer—session fiveStrength for caring
Part two: keeping fit for caring and life, exercise, nutrition and relaxation
Disclaimer: This material is published by Queensland Health and Mater Misericordiae Health
Services Brisbane Limited (Mater) with the intention of providing information of interest. It is
not intended to be a substitute for specific professional or clinical advice. Information may
contain or summarise the views of others, and not necessarily reflect the view of Queensland
Health or Mater. Although Queensland Health and Mater endeavour to publish accurate
information, there is no guarantee that this information is up-to-date, complete or correct, and
it must not be relied upon without verification from an authoritative source. Queensland
Health and Mater do not accept any liability incurred by use of or reliance on this
information.
Be good to yourself• as the primary carer you will need energy and
vitality to perform your additional duties• exercise, good nutrition and effective relaxation
strategies are an important part of self care• caring for yourself is as important as caring for
your friend or loved one with cancer.
Exercise for health and well-being
Be good to yourself—be active!Exercise has countless benefits:• reduces risk of cancers (up to 50 per cent) • improves mood and reduces stress levels• helps prevent chronic diseases such as type two
diabetes, osteoporosis, stroke and heart diseases
Be good to yourself—be active! (continued)• helps maintain a healthy weight• strengthens heart and lungs • helps you sleep • improves self-esteem and increases
confidence• strengthens your immune system.
Make activity part of your day• walk or ride a bike for short trips or to your local shop• get up to change the TV channel instead of using the
remote control• take the stairs instead of the lift• walk your children to school • park further away from your destination• participate in the housework or gardening• walk the dog. If you don’t have one, borrow the
neighbour’s dog.
Make activity part of your day• walk in the evening after dinner and watch less
television • do exercise while you are watching TV such as
stationary bike, treadmill or swiss ball exercise• get on or off public transport one stop further
from home and walk the extra distance• do Tai Chi or flexibility exercises • use an exercise DVD at home• buy an exercise mat.
Thirty minutes a dayExercising for 30 minutes a day, either in a row, or broken up, is beneficial to your health
Low to moderate intensity exercise
Low to moderate intensity exercise
Walking
Moderate to intense exercise
Moderate to intense exercise
Keep on track• start easy and progress slowly• set simple, realistic exercise goals• vary your routine if possible • plan around known interruptions.
Simple Tai Chi Exercise 1
Simple Tai Chi Exercise 2
Strength for caring - part 2 Food for feeling good
Caring for you - Nutrition
• Good nutrition is important for everyone!• Strengthens immune system and keeps you
healthy, body, mind and soul• It will help you think clearly and cope better with
the extra demands of caring• Gives you the extra energy you will need to
perform extra duties as carer
What is good nutrition?• A diet rich in a variety of plant-based foods. • 2 to 3 fruits daily• 4 to 5 vegetables daily• Choose wholegrain and unprocessed cereals. • Choose foods from the five food groups and
avoid over eating and under eating
Nutritional requirements• It is just as important for the carer to meet
nutritional requirements• A sick carer is not an effective carer• 3 meals a day with 2 healthy snacks and plenty
of fluids is a step to meeting nutritional requirements
Meeting nutritional requirements
• Keep regular meal patterns. • Eat small and frequent meals.• Never skip meals! • Have a range of pre-prepared or frozen meals.• Keep plenty of healthy snacks on hand for times
when you are waiting around
Hydration• 2L a day keeps the doctor away!• Always carry a water bottle• If you don’t like plain water, flavour it by using:
– Fruit ice cubes– Lemon/lime juice– Dash of cordial
• Caffeinated beverages are counted, but need to be chased with a glass of water
Strength for caring – part 2Caring for you - Relaxation
Caring for you - Relaxation • Most of us have discovered some ways to relax
and enjoy ourselves• However, the purpose of the session today is to
introduce you to formal relaxation techniques that quickly and effectively trigger the “Relaxation Response”
• If relaxation is practiced regularly, it can have lasting beneficial effects
Meditation and Relaxation• The relaxation response creates a physical state of
deep rest that changes the physical and emotional response to stress:– Decrease in heart rate
– Decrease in blood pressure
– Decrease in muscle tension
– Decrease in rate of breathing
– Decreased metabolic rate
Relaxation Techniques• Today you will have an experience of meditation,
abdominal breathing and imagery• There are other techniques such as progressive
muscle relaxation • Not everyone responds to the same techniques
so try out various techniques and use the one that works best for you.
Abdominal Breathing• Abdominal breathing is also known as
diaphragmatic breathing• Abdominal breathing can be practiced anywhere
and at any time• By using abdominal breathing you will cope
better with stressful or challenging situations
Abdominal breathing
Abdominal Breathing• The more it is practiced, the more natural it will
become• When breathing properly your abdomen will
expand when you inhale and decrease when exhaling
Imagery for Relaxation• The mid-brain interprets the information as real
when imagination is used to create an experience and that experience is felt
• By using imagination during meditation, we can influence peace of mind, self esteem, confidence and improve our management of stress
Strength for caring• Exercise, good nutrition and relaxation are
wonderful ways to maximise your ability to cope from day to day when the demands of your life increase
• Remember to look after yourself as the carer!