1. Caregiving Tool: Gratitude Rayna Neises 22:07

Rayna Neises, ACC, host, reflects on her interview from last week with Heather Carter (Episode 125). Heather is a cancer survivor and she shared tips from her season of being cared for. She reminded us that our mindset and attitude have a significant impact on those we are caring for. Rayna shares additional information on this aspect of caregiving and how gratitude can help:

  • [6:23] True gratitude is to focus on what you have in the moment.
  • [8:00] Make gratitude a part of your daily or weekly routine.
  • [10:19] Just saying Thank You can be helpful.
  • [10:53] Finding the method that works best for you is the most effective
    approach.
  • [11:33] A few benefits of gratitude:
    • Help you make friends
    • Improve your physical health
    • Improve your psychological health
    • Less likely to seek revenge against others
    • Improve sleep
    • Enhance self-esteem
    • Increase mental strength
  • [13:00] Ways to develop a gratitude behavior:
    • [13:51] Daily Journaling
    • [14:11] Use a gratitude jar
    • [15:15] Use a gratitude rock
    • [16:19] Look around at your surroundings
  • [16:50] 21-Day Gratitude Challenge with Rayna
    • [17:15] Three Blessings Exercise
    • [17:47] Say Thank You
    • [19:16] Stop and Smell the Roses
  • [21:08] Sign up to be a part at www.aseasonofcaring.com/gratitude
Rayna Neises A Season of Caring

Rayna Neises understands the joys and challenges that come from a season of caring. She helped care for both of her parents during their separate battles with Alzheimer’s over a thirty-year span. She is able to look back on those days now with no regrets – and she wishes the same for everyone caring for aging parents.

Rayna is the author of No Regrets: Hope for Your Caregiving Season, an ICF certified coach, the host of “A Season of Caring” podcast, Positive Approach® to Care (PAC)Independent Certified Trainer and speaker who is passionate about offering encouragement, support, and resources for regret-free caring aimed at preventing family caregivers from aimlessly wandering through this important season of life.

Rayna lives on a farm in southeast Kansas with her husband, Ron, and small pack of adorable dogs. She is the baby of her family, but most would never guess that. She is a former teacher who enjoys crafts of all kinds and spending time with her grandkids most of all.