Carmella M. Dow, MSW, Bereavement Coordinator at Concord Regional VNA in Concord, NH recently sent me a self-care practice that sustains her as a caregiver. She wrote, “I could not do the kind of work that I do without the source of my strength, which is God. I have developed the practice of praying for the bereaved whom I serve, giving them over to God’s care and comfort, as I know that what I am able to do for them is limited. This helps me avoid carrying their pain and suffering on my shoulders and enables me to be present for my family when I walk through the door at the end of the workday.”
I might add that research from the RAND Corporation demonstrates, as do many other studies, that spiritual practices help us cope with stress, make us more resilient, and improve our overall health and functioning. So, Carmella, you’re on the right track. Keep it up and thanks for sharing!
Warm regards,
Rebecca Hauder, R.N., LCPC