By Marianne Delatorre
As our founder Elizabeth Dole believes, “In seeking success you must also seek fulfillment. Ask yourself not only what you want to be but who you want to be.”
If you’re part of our virtual Hidden Heroes Caregiver Community, we held our inaugural “Welcome Self-Care Week” to provide a space for caregivers to reflect on the year ahead, set intentions, and extend the concept of self-care to their families and communities. I invite you to take time to practice wellness and find a few moments to care for yourself throughout the year.
To get you started, we’ve compiled a list of some of our most popular wellness-focused online programs from our ongoing C3: Caregiver Community Connection and Maintaining Balance: Online Yoga sessions. Thousands of caregivers like you have benefited from these programs, and we hope you will, too. 2022 is the year to better our minds, fill up our cups, and replenish our souls – we hope you will join us in this journey.
Scroll through and click on the videos you’re interested in learning more about.
Maintaining Balance: Online Yoga for Caregivers
We understand the caregiving journey is often stressful and overwhelming. It can be difficult to find time to focus on yourself. The Elizabeth Dole Foundation and Yoga4Caregivers team up to provide education and empowerment to the military caregiver community through the power of yoga. Join us in exploring self-care and mindfulness through the practice of yoga. Together, we can empower each other to rest, recharge, and reconnect with our inner resilience.
Let’s “Taco” About Healthy Eating
Staying motivated can be hard, and eating healthily can be even harder, but filling your body with good, whole foods gives you sustenance to continue caring for loved ones and yourself. Elizabeth Dole Foundation CEO Steve Schwab, Wounded Warrior Project CEO Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Mike Linnington,and Wounded Warrior Project Physical Health & Wellness Director James Herrera talk about healthy eating habits and share their favorite fresh taco recipes.
Take a Breath: Breathing Techniques to Cope with Stress
Take a breather and learn breathing strategies to help cope with stress. We’re diving into breathing strategies with marine veteran spouse Tricia Winklosky who serves as Director of Clinical Health & Wellness atHope For The Warriors. Relax and unwind with us!
Gratitude Journaling: Inspirational Self-Care for Caregivers
Research shows expressive writing and practicing gratitude can help both the mind and body. This unique webinar explores the benefits of practicing both gratitude and writing to put intentions into action. Led by author Kristin Meekhof, M.S.W., this thoughtful interactive exercise takes you on a journey of nurturing and self-care.
Creating a Positive Vision: Vision Board Session
Barbara McNally, author of Unbridled: A Memoir, Wounded Warrior, Wounded Wife, and Four Faces of Femininity, helps you stay focused on visualizing your future. With an open and positive mind, you can create a fabulous vision board. A vision board is a tool used to help clarify, concentrate, and maintain focus on a specific life goal. The purpose is to bring clarity to your desires and feelings, thus bringing your visions to life. Barbara also shares her experiences and how she has helped people from all walks of life, including veterans, recover and regain their strength.
If you enjoyed any of these sessions, we hope you’ll plan to join us again soon. Caregiver Community Connection (C3) is an ongoing interactive virtual series that aims to empower, inspire, and engage America’s military, veteran, and family caregivers. Powered by Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), C3 seeks to educate caregivers like you about tools, resources, and strategies to help you thrive; connect with peer caregivers; recharge; and become the best, most empowered version of yourself. Join us https://hiddenheroes.org/find-help/c3/
Also, if you aren’t already a member, I’d like to personally invite you to join our Hidden Heroes Caregiver Community (HHCC). Connection, validation, understanding, support, and resource sharing – that’s what we’re all about! Become part of our family today at hiddenheroes.org/community.
As we move toward 2022, our goal is to help you prosper in finding new activities and goals to accomplish. A gentle reminder: you are your own individual with unique interests and needs. This year is going to be one of growth and we’re fortunate to be on this journey with you!
