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JoyfulRx Podcast - Ep 4. Exploring Compassion As Caregivers

Ep 4. Exploring Compassion As Caregivers

09/08/24 • 12 min

JoyfulRx Podcast

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This episode discusses the topic of compassion, focusing on how to be more compassionate with someone when the relationship is difficult or strained. Compassion involves showing grace, kindness, acceptance, and nonjudgment. Self-compassion is also important, acknowledging that one's effort is enough. The episode shares a client's story of healing a strained relationship with her father through practicing self-compassion and emphasizes the importance of cultivating compassion for caregivers.
Here are a few simple steps you can start with today to help you stay attuned to your own needs and feelings, which is the first step in offering yourself compassion.
1. Mindful self-check-ins. Take a few minutes each day to check in with yourself.
How am I feeling right now?
What do I need in this moment?
2. Positive self-talk. Pay attention to how you talk to yourself, especially in challenging moments. When you notice negative self-talk creeping in, pause and reframe it. Instead of thinking, I'm failing, try the phrase, "I'm doing my best and that is enough."
3. Compassionate breathing. This is a quick and powerful exercise. When you're feeling stressed or frustrated or overwhelmed, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. As you inhale, imagine breathing in compassion for yourself. As you exhale, imagine sending compassion out to those you care for. It's a simple yet powerful way to reset and reconnect with your inner well of kindness.
4. Gratitude practice. This is a fantastic way to cultivate compassion. Take a moment each day to reflect on something you're grateful for in yourself and in your caregiving journey. It could be as simple as I'm grateful for my patients or I'm grateful for the small moments of connection with my loved one.
Remember, cultivating compassion both for yourself and others is not about being perfect. It's about recognizing that you too deserve the same care and kindness you so freely give to others. And in doing so, you'll find that your well of compassion never runs dry. It only deepens, enriching both your life and the lives of those you care for.
Thank you so much for joining me today on this episode. I hope these insights on cultivating a deeper compassion practice resonate with you and help you on your journey to a more joyful, fulfill

Caring for others—whether in your personal or professional life—can be deeply fulfilling, but it also comes with its challenges. The weight of constant caregiving can leave even the most dedicated among us feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and burned out. Too often, societal and cultural norms reinforce the idea that sacrificing ourselves is the price of being a “good” caregiver.

But here’s the truth: you cannot pour from an empty cup. You deserve to care for others without losing yourself in the process.

Welcome to The JoyfulRx podcast—your weekly dose of inspiration, tools, and strategies to rediscover your inner joy. Hosted by Dr. Michelle Welch, a practicing physician, mother, children’s author, entrepreneur, and certified coach, this podcast is designed specifically for caregivers who are ready to stop surviving and start thriving.

Each week, Dr. Michelle dives into topics that matter most to caregivers, offering practical steps and actionable insights to help you reclaim your joy, build resilience, and create a life where you can serve others from your overflow, not your reserves.

Let’s connect!

📅 Book a free call with me today. Visit: https://calendly.com/michellewelch/60min and let’s start rewriting your relationship with yourself.

Please take a moment to leave a review or comment. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Follow me on Instagram...

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Send us a text

This episode discusses the topic of compassion, focusing on how to be more compassionate with someone when the relationship is difficult or strained. Compassion involves showing grace, kindness, acceptance, and nonjudgment. Self-compassion is also important, acknowledging that one's effort is enough. The episode shares a client's story of healing a strained relationship with her father through practicing self-compassion and emphasizes the importance of cultivating compassion for caregivers.
Here are a few simple steps you can start with today to help you stay attuned to your own needs and feelings, which is the first step in offering yourself compassion.
1. Mindful self-check-ins. Take a few minutes each day to check in with yourself.
How am I feeling right now?
What do I need in this moment?
2. Positive self-talk. Pay attention to how you talk to yourself, especially in challenging moments. When you notice negative self-talk creeping in, pause and reframe it. Instead of thinking, I'm failing, try the phrase, "I'm doing my best and that is enough."
3. Compassionate breathing. This is a quick and powerful exercise. When you're feeling stressed or frustrated or overwhelmed, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. As you inhale, imagine breathing in compassion for yourself. As you exhale, imagine sending compassion out to those you care for. It's a simple yet powerful way to reset and reconnect with your inner well of kindness.
4. Gratitude practice. This is a fantastic way to cultivate compassion. Take a moment each day to reflect on something you're grateful for in yourself and in your caregiving journey. It could be as simple as I'm grateful for my patients or I'm grateful for the small moments of connection with my loved one.
Remember, cultivating compassion both for yourself and others is not about being perfect. It's about recognizing that you too deserve the same care and kindness you so freely give to others. And in doing so, you'll find that your well of compassion never runs dry. It only deepens, enriching both your life and the lives of those you care for.
Thank you so much for joining me today on this episode. I hope these insights on cultivating a deeper compassion practice resonate with you and help you on your journey to a more joyful, fulfill

Caring for others—whether in your personal or professional life—can be deeply fulfilling, but it also comes with its challenges. The weight of constant caregiving can leave even the most dedicated among us feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and burned out. Too often, societal and cultural norms reinforce the idea that sacrificing ourselves is the price of being a “good” caregiver.

But here’s the truth: you cannot pour from an empty cup. You deserve to care for others without losing yourself in the process.

Welcome to The JoyfulRx podcast—your weekly dose of inspiration, tools, and strategies to rediscover your inner joy. Hosted by Dr. Michelle Welch, a practicing physician, mother, children’s author, entrepreneur, and certified coach, this podcast is designed specifically for caregivers who are ready to stop surviving and start thriving.

Each week, Dr. Michelle dives into topics that matter most to caregivers, offering practical steps and actionable insights to help you reclaim your joy, build resilience, and create a life where you can serve others from your overflow, not your reserves.

Let’s connect!

📅 Book a free call with me today. Visit: https://calendly.com/michellewelch/60min and let’s start rewriting your relationship with yourself.

Please take a moment to leave a review or comment. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Follow me on Instagram...

Previous Episode

undefined - Ep. 3- How cherry-picking reminded me to be mindful

Ep. 3- How cherry-picking reminded me to be mindful

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Dr. Michelle Welch examines the topic of mindfulness and shares how the experience of picking cherries with her family brought awareness to how she could bring more mindfulness to the journey while in the process of achieving a goal. She reflects on how her daughter taught her a valuable lesson about mindfulness and shows how this can be applied to goalsetting. Dr. Welch encourages listeners to reflect on their own journeys as a whole, and take time to connect the dots, rather than being too focused on the end-result.
She defines mindfulness and explains that it is a cognitive skill that can be developed through focused practice and invites the listener to try a simple mindfulness exercise for those interested in exploring it further.
Listeners are also invited to share their own experience with mindfulness and encouraged to find mindful moments throughout their day.
Mindfulness activity:
If this is new for you, try to start with these brief mindfulness-based activities.

  • Take 2 minute breaks throughout the day to sit quietly and focus on your breathing. Feeling in your body what it feels like to be breathing.
  • You can also do this while eating or taking a walk outdoors


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Caring for others—whether in your personal or professional life—can be deeply fulfilling, but it also comes with its challenges. The weight of constant caregiving can leave even the most dedicated among us feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and burned out. Too often, societal and cultural norms reinforce the idea that sacrificing ourselves is the price of being a “good” caregiver.

But here’s the truth: you cannot pour from an empty cup. You deserve to care for others without losing yourself in the process.

Welcome to The JoyfulRx podcast—your weekly dose of inspiration, tools, and strategies to rediscover your inner joy. Hosted by Dr. Michelle Welch, a practicing physician, mother, children’s author, entrepreneur, and certified coach, this podcast is designed specifically for caregivers who are ready to stop surviving and start thriving.

Each week, Dr. Michelle dives into topics that matter most to caregivers, offering practical steps and actionable insights to help you reclaim your joy, build resilience, and create a life where you can serve others from your overflow, not your reserves.

Let’s connect!

📅 Book a free call with me today. Visit: https://calendly.com/michellewelch/60min and let’s start rewriting your relationship with yourself.

Please take a moment to leave a review or comment. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Follow me on Instagram...

Next Episode

undefined - Ep 6.- Rest- Necessity, Not Luxury

Ep 6.- Rest- Necessity, Not Luxury

Send us a text

In this episode Dr. Michelle talks about the benefits of rest for caregivers, she discusses sleep hygiene and some helpful ways to create a healthy bed time routine and optimize your environment for sleep. Below are some helpful resources regarding the science and recommendations around sleep.
Sleep hygiene:
https://www.anxietycanada.com/sites/default/files/SleepHygiene.pdf
CDC recommendations for adults:
https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about/index.html
Harvard Medical School:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/topics/sleep

Caring for others—whether in your personal or professional life—can be deeply fulfilling, but it also comes with its challenges. The weight of constant caregiving can leave even the most dedicated among us feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and burned out. Too often, societal and cultural norms reinforce the idea that sacrificing ourselves is the price of being a “good” caregiver.

But here’s the truth: you cannot pour from an empty cup. You deserve to care for others without losing yourself in the process.

Welcome to The JoyfulRx podcast—your weekly dose of inspiration, tools, and strategies to rediscover your inner joy. Hosted by Dr. Michelle Welch, a practicing physician, mother, children’s author, entrepreneur, and certified coach, this podcast is designed specifically for caregivers who are ready to stop surviving and start thriving.

Each week, Dr. Michelle dives into topics that matter most to caregivers, offering practical steps and actionable insights to help you reclaim your joy, build resilience, and create a life where you can serve others from your overflow, not your reserves.

Let’s connect!

📅 Book a free call with me today. Visit: https://calendly.com/michellewelch/60min and let’s start rewriting your relationship with yourself.

Please take a moment to leave a review or comment. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Follow me on Instagram...

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