Household Duties: Issue 16

Social Isolation

It's hard to think about social isolation when we're on the go. Constantly interacting with other people is something that we can take for granted. When we're capable because of healthy bodies, we tend to forget about those who are incapable or incapcitated. Read more...

Break Time!

When your home is your work environment, it may be difficult to stop and take a break. I find it easier to do "just one more thing" before I sit down. Eventually, that one more thing leads to another and I'm on the fast track of getting things done without a break in between.

How long should a break be? When 15 minutes sounds too long, maybe start with 5-10 minutes. If you're on your feet most of the time, then take a seat and relax with some breathing exercises. On the other hand, if you're sitting or standing a lot, walking may be the better option. Whatever your situation may be, doing something different for awhile helps break the monotony.

Even if you start with 2 minutes, take the time to breathe slowly. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. Breathing deeply helps slow things down. I find it helps me take a break from racing thoughts and the never-endig to-do list. By closing our eyes and listening to ourselves breathe, our bodies have the chance to refocus and recuperate, even if it's only for a moment.

Dance With Your Duster

Housework - house cleaning - can be monotonous when you do it on a very regular basis. Yes, it's important to keep up a sanitized environment, but when you've already cleaned the same area several times, it's tempting to skimp on the clean up.

I agree. It would be much easier if you could see the microscopic mess. That's not how it works. Cleaning can be monotonous, for sure.

Dusting is my least favorite; I have been known to allow "dust-bunnies" accumulate or a noticeable film on a surface before I finally "get to the task" of dusting.

To spice up the cleaning, even though I feel like the area is clean enough is to put a little spin on how I approach the task. While dancing may not be the answer to the problem, having a light-hearted attitude helps.

Setting up the cleaning as a workout or a coordinated step routine (like a dance) with a little song (in your head) helps a lot. It has helped me quicken my step and bounce along the way while I go through the motions of cleaning (again).

Story Time

Spending time with those you care for is more than just being around them. Taking the time to interact and have conversations means more. While we may not have time for long visits, some of the tasks that we do as caregivers can incorporate the company of those we care for.

Having my dad sit in a chair in the kitchen and share with me some stories from the past accomplished two things. I was able to continue the necessary tasks and Dad had someone to talk to.

It started with a memory he had. Then I would ask questions. Eventually, we would talk about the memory as a story. Sometimes Dad would fill in the details and sometimes I would ask about details. It would be something small and insignificant, part of the scenery or the background. Colors, shapes, how-to do something, weather, and other question began to fill the memory into a story.

About the Author

Here?is a little about me.