We’re welcoming brighter days while continuing to promote health and safety.
January is a month when people make resolutions on what changes they will make in the new year. For most, it will be tough to stick with what are often unrealistic goals. Family caregivers may skip making resolutions due to a lack of time or the belief that their days are not their own right now. One idea to consider for 2022 is to adopt one little word.
The One Little Word Project was created in 2006 by author and blogger, Ali Edwards. She’s also well-known for her scrapbooking work. Edwards felt that by using one little word to set her intentions for the year, she would be better able to keep her life centered and on track. She believed that her word would provide her with the focus needed as she went about her busy daily life.
Since then, the One Little Word Project has taken on a life of its own. It’s been widely adopted by individuals and groups ranging from family caregivers and physicians to nurses and first responders. There are workshops and virtual classes designed to help people better understand this project, and how to select and stick with their one little word.
Mitigating Daily Stress
There’s no doubt about it, the past few years have been tumultuous ones for most people. From an especially divisive political environment to a global health pandemic, it’s easy to understand why many of us are feeling especially anxious and uncertain. For family caregivers, the feeling of being overwhelmed can be even more pronounced.
Living with chronic stress can have a negative impact on your mental and physical well-being. Heart disease, depression, headaches, and digestive issues are just a few ways that stress can manifest. Finding productive ways to minimize it is essential. Exercise, meditation, and laughter are a few suggestions. Another is to take some time to reflect on where you are in life, and where you hope to be as the new year moves forward. Then adopt a word of your own to help you stay focused.
Choosing One Little Word
How can you go about selecting your word to live by in 2022? What are some words others have found success with in previous years? Here are some suggestions to consider as you get started:
Once you’ve landed on a word that resonates with your hopes for the new year, the next step is to find ways to make it visible. By seeing it throughout your day, you’ll be reminded of what you’ve decided is important to you.
Making Your One Word More Visible
There are a variety of ways you can create visible reminders of your one little word:
Find Caregiver Resources on the Sunrise Blog
Caring for a loved one is a unique role. Unless you have a close friend or family member who is walking this path with you, it may be tough to find useful information. The Sunrise Blog has an entire section devoted to connecting caregivers with resources. By bookmarking the blog and visiting often, you’ll gain access to new articles on caregiving, senior care, healthy aging, and more as soon as they are published!