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C.A.R.E. Connections - Blog
Words from the heART of Caregiving
Welcome to C.A.R.E. Connections, the Henry Ford Health C.A.R.E. Program online blog for family caregivers. Throughout the various blog articles you will find resources, insights, helpful tips, words of inspiration, and highlights of caregivers art. This blog is meant to inspire and empower you through the use of art. We encourage you to read at least one article a week as a form of self-care.
If you have any questions about the information provided within the blog or would like more information specific to your caregiving situation, please email us: CaregiverResources@hfhs.org
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2nd Quarter 2024
Inspired by Helen Frankenthaler (4/15/24)
Making art is a great way to reduce stress and express yourself. If you already make art as part of your self-care routine, then you know how much fun it can be. However, sometimes it can be difficult to know where to start. Read More.
Handmade Flowers (4/9/24)
April is national gardening month and having beautiful plants and flowers in our homes can be joyful. Read More.
Gardens (4/4/24)
April is National Garden month! There are many physical and mental health benefits of gardening, making it more than just a beautiful burst of color. Read More.
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1st Quarter 2024
What is Art Therapy? (3/19/24)
Art therapy is an integrative mental health field and form of expressive therapy that uses the creative process of making art to improve a person's physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Read More.
Celebrating Women's History Month: Honoring Women Artists Who Are Caregivers (3/13/24)
As an artist and a mother I understand first hand how difficult it can be to balance a studio practice with the demands of caring for children, family, and aging parents. Read More.
Creative Ideas to Reduce Stress for a Healthy Heart (2/22/24)
Keeping our heart healthy is a priority for each of us, and finding new, creative ways to practice heart health can help us stay consistent. Read More.
Creative Ideas for a Healthy Heart: Movement (2/15/24)
This week will highlight creative ways to incorporate movement into our days that improve heart health. Read More.
Creative Ideas for a Healthy Heart (2/5/24)
Keeping our heart healthy is a priority for each of us, and finding new, creative ways to practice heart health can help us stay consistent. Read More.
Snowflake Beauty (1/30/24)
As the snow on the roof melts and drips down to the back porch creating an icy puddle, I think about spring. Read More.
How to Begin (1/23/24)
The beginning of the new year is a great time to begin new ventures and set plans for the months ahead. Read More.
Setting Intentions for Healthy Living (1/8/24)
The beginning of the new year is the perfect time to assess your goals for the year ahead and set intentions for healthy living. Read More.
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4th Quarter 2023
Renewal (12/22/23)
December is such a great time to reflect on the joys, highlights, and wonderful experiences we’ve had throughout the year. A time for rest and renewal. Read More.
Junk Journals (12/14/23)
If you’ve been thinking about simplifying, yet you don’t want to get rid of all the pretty notecards, fancy wrapping paper that won’t quite cover that gift your want to send, or fun stickers for your planner that you don’t actually use?. Read More.
Artist Trading Cards (11/30/23)
Are you looking for a fun and easy art project to do with your friends and family? Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) are easy, portable, and fun!. Read More.
Simplicity (11/13/23)
Simplicity can be described as appreciating the small things in life and placing less priority on material possessions. Read more.
Picturing Gratitude (11/6/23)
Gratitude simply means: being thankful for what already exists. Read more.
Play on Purpose (10/27/23)
Playing isn’t just for kids! As adults we understand the importance of allowing children to play as part of their physical and emotional development, but play is critical for adults as well. Read more.
Benefits of a ‘Not To-Do’ list (10/13/23)
In our fast-paced, goal-oriented society, to-do lists are a common tool for staying organized and productive. Read more.
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3rd Quarter 2023
The Mundane (10/9/23)
Journaling is a great way to reduce stress, get clarity, and develop gratitude. Read more.
Writing Prompt: Poetry (10/4/23)
Have you ever had the desire to write poetry but didn’t know where to begin? Read more.
Unplug to destress (9/6/23)
Technology is an amazing tool, among other benefits, it makes routine tasks easier, it helps us connect with others, and it’s fun to play games and share on social media. Read more.
Changing Habits? Change your Environment (8/14/23)
Are you trying to create new, healthier habits? Take a look at your current environment for inspiration on how to set yourself up for success. Read more.
Staycation (8/9/23)
A staycation (a combination of the words stay and vacation), is a great alternative to the travel and expense of a typical vacation. Read more.
Watercolor Resist (8/3/23)
Creating a watercolor resist image is a great way to experiment with art making and create your own inspiration. Read more.
Art Therapy vs Art Education (7/3/23)
Art therapy is an integrative mental health and human services profession that uses art and the process of making art (mixed with psychology) to help improve well-being. Read more.
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2nd Quarter 2023
Watercolor Fun (6/23/23)
There are so many different art materials to choose from and you’ll never know what you like until you try them! Read more.
Collage (6/13/23)
If you are interested in starting an art practice and not sure where to begin, collage might be just the thing. Read more.
Emotions in a Bottle (5/22/23)
How are you feeling right now? If you answered, “fine”, what does that really mean? How often do you think about how you really feel and put a label to that feeling? Read more.
Pointillism (5/16/23)
Pointillism is a technique of painting that involves the use of small dots or points of pure color, which are applied in a pattern or design to create a larger image. Read more.
What is Ephemeral Art? (5/8/23)
Ephemeral art refers to any form of art that is temporary or short-lived in nature, typically lasting only for a brief period of time before disappearing or being dismantled. Read more.
You are creative! (5/2/23)
Throughout history, humans have expressed their creativity through various forms of art, music, literature, and other creative outlets. Read more.
Sunshine! (4/24/23)
Spending some time soaking up the sun has many benefits. Sunlight is a major source of vitamin D, which is essential for healthy bones, teeth, and muscles. Read more.
Mindfulness (4/12/23)
Usually, we put an idea on how to implement the ideas of the blog post in the Try This section, but this time the entire post is a list of things to try when starting out on a mindfulness practice. Read more.
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1st Quarter 2023
Perspective (3/31/23)
Have you ever thought about how your perspective can influence your beliefs and behavior? Read more.
Is Reading Fun? (3/27/23)
Reading has so many benefits, but what if you genuinely don’t like to read? How can you start reading and maybe (hopefully) begin to enjoy it?. Read more.
The Benefits of Cold Temps (3/9/23)
I am not a big fan of cold weather, but apparently is has some great health benefits. Read more.
What is Beauty? (2/28/23)
Who decides what is beautiful? Can we all agree on what is beautiful? Why do some of us love to look at abstract art and some only love landscapes? Read more.
Mindful Eating (2/14/23)
Can eating your favorite foods be a type of self-care? While we are aware that some foods are “bad” for us, eating our favorite comfort foods can still make us feel better. Read more.
Self Love (2/1/23)
All too often we, especially caregivers, give the majority of our time and attention to those we care for and that can leave us emotionally drained. Read more.
Time to Recharge (1/11/22)
How do you recharge? Not just rest, but actually getting back the energy you need for the tasks ahead. Read more.
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4th Quarter 2022
Embracing Alone Time (12/21/22)
During the COVID pandemic many of us had to spend time alone, isolated away from people and routines, maybe for the first time ever. Read more.
Hygge (12/14/22)
Pronounced “Hoo-guh” and roughly translated to “cozy”, the Danish experience of Hygge has become very popular lately through books and online articles showcasing fluffy slippers and sipping hot chocolate by a fire while the snow falls outside. Read more.
Changing Weather (12/1/22)
Do you love the winter or the summer? Spring or fall? Maybe you feel best during that change of seasons at the end of summer as the air gets cooler and the leaves begin to change. Read more.
Screen Fatigue (11/21/22)
Spending excessive time in front of screens can result in screen fatigue, or computer vision syndrome. Read more.
Pet Therapy (11/14/22)
If you ever had the joy of growing up with a loving pet, then you can probably appreciate the benefits of pet therapy. Read more.
Mind Map (11/7/22)
Writing poetry can be a simple and satisfying tool to add to your self-care routine. Read more.
Poetry as self care (10/31/22)
Writing poetry can be a simple and satisfying tool to add to your self-care routine. Read more.
Routine (10/24/22)
We talk a lot about taking time for yourself and creating self-care routines to improve your mood. Read more.
Museum Sanctuary (10/12/22)
Have you ever thought about how strolling through a museum or gallery can create calmness within you? The environment is generally quiet, allowing you to focus on the artwork. Read more.
Sweet Dreams (10/4/22)
Getting a good night sleep is crucial to your mental and physical health. Read more.
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3rd Quarter 2022
Grow your strengths (9/29/22)
Being a family caregiver can be overwhelming at times and make us feel like we’re not sure what we’re doing. Read more.
Reading to Relax (9/23/22)
Do you remember the last time you got completely lost in a story? Read more.
Volunteer (9/12/22)
Helping others helps us all! There are some surprising benefits to volunteering for a cause you care about. Read more.
Meditation (9/6/22)
A practice that has been around for thousands of years has the potential for creating a deep state of relaxation and helping you tune into the present moment. Read more.
A Self-Care Garden (8/30/22)
Right now is a great time to begin planning and planting your self-care garden. Read more.
Technology and Self-Care (8/15/22)
Video games can often get a bad reputation as a waste of time, or worse, as an unhealthy pastime that makes players prone to violence. Read more.
Support Systems (8/9/22)
We all need a support system in our lives, and now is a great time to assess who we can turn to when we need support. Read more.
Humor as a coping strategy (8/1/22)
Have you ever found yourself laughing at a stressful or unfortunate event? While mental illness is not funny, sometimes using humor as a coping strategy can be helpful. Read more.
Self-Care for Anxiety (7/22/22)
We all experience anxiety to some degree, and it’s not always a problem. Read more.
Mental Health Awareness (7/14/22)
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 5 adults experienced a mental illness in 2020. Read more.
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2nd Quarter 2022
Journaling for Self-Care (6/16/22)
Journaling has many mental health benefits and can be an easy way to begin a self-care routine. Read more.
The Ambidextrous Artist (4/25/22)
Colin Darke is an American artist who has gained international recognition for his rare ability to draw beautiful, intricate drawings with both hands simultaneously. Read more.
What is Creativity? (4/18/22)
So, what exactly does it mean to be creative? What is the first thing you think of when you see that question? Many people will tell me that “to be creative” means to be skilled at making fine art, like painting a portrait. Read more.
Music Playlist (4/12/22)
Most of us enjoy listening to music whether it’s classical or alt rock, country or rap, and research shows that it’s all great for our brain! Read more.
Self Compassion (4/8/22)
Dr. Kristin Neff explains that self-esteem is based in self evaluations - basically it is built on our perception of our value and how much we like ourselves. Read more.
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1st Quarter 2022
The Power of Nature (3/21/22)
Spending time in nature has the power to reduce stress and improve your overall wellbeing. Read more.
The Benefits of Knitting and Crocheting (3/17/22)
The simple and complex nature of these two skills make them a great self care tool for the craft artist. Read more.
Space as Self Care (3/7/22)
How do you feel about the space you spend time in during the day? Have you considered treating that space as part of your self-care routine? Read more.
Found Poetry (2/25/22)
Found poetry is a great creative prompt to add to your self-care routine. Read more.
Mantra Meditation (2/7/22)
Mantras and affirmations are often used synonymously, but they are different. Read more.
Healthy Boundaries (1/17/22)
Physical and emotional boundaries are necessary to help keep us healthy, but many of us feel guilty when we put our own needs first and practice self-care. Read more.
One Little Word (1/3/22)
Changing your perspective on the New Year’s resolution might be the kind of shift you need. Read more.
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4th Quarter 2021
Taking in the Good (12/27/21)
Have you heard of the negativity bias? It’s the idea that our brain finds it easier to remember the bad things rather than the good because our ancestors needed to be aware of danger in order to survive. Read more.
Calm connections during the Holidays (12/13/21)
This time of year here in Michigan is getting colder, there is snow on the ground and the holiday season is here. Read more.
Gratitude as Self-Care (11/29/21)
The benefits of a gratitude practice are abundant, but what exactly does gratitude mean? Simply, gratitude is the state of being thankful for what already exists. Read more.
Health Benefits of Art (11/15/21)
Making art is more than just beautiful images - the process is good for our health. Read more.
