Triveni Goswami Vernal
(Registered Special Educator A64010)

Self- Care is very important for all but especially if you are a caregiver or a parent of individuals with additional needs. As someone had said, “One cannot pour from an empty cup”. One needs to be mentally and emotionally present, to be able to provide quality time to the child. Self-care can take many forms…engaging in a hobby, creating art or crafts, working on one’s level of fitness (walking, doing yoga, going to a gym, dancing etc), reading, writing, watching tv/movies, listening to music, playing a musical instrument or engaging in a sport, travelling, socializing, hiking etc. Taking out some time for yourself every day, is crucial towards working on your mental health. What one can do, of course, would depend on one’s choice and circumstances, but creating spaces for “me time”, is an absolute essential.

Caregiving is a long-haul journey. There are no shortcuts to it. The reality of keeping oneself active, becomes even more apparent as the child moves into the teens and adulthood and stress gets the better of you. Keeping up with the child’s activity levels and the behavioural challenges associated with the teenage years, takes a fair bit of strength (mental and physical) and stamina.

I follow a fitness trainer, Javeno Mclean on social media (@j7healthjaveno on Instagram). He works exclusively with individuals with disabilities and he had once remarked, “Strength is a Mindset.” How true that statement is. The mindset shapes how much you wish to push yourself, every single day, no matter what the circumstances are.

Working out is not just about being physically active but also, so much to do with mental strength. In my opinion, showing up every day, is half the battle won. Consistency is the key to building strength, stamina and endurance. Being fit is not a fad, but a way of life.

For me personally, Cult.fit has changed the way I view fitness. It has been over a year since I have been working out, there. I push myself to show up every single day. I truly enjoy the format of group workouts, and the camaraderie that I share with the fellow participants. The guidance and clarity of instructions provided by the knowledgeable trainers, has helped me, give in my best. In the humdrum of life, it is one thing, that I eagerly look forward to, every day.

Progress is a subjective notion. It may look different to different people. Consistently working out, may or may not lead to weight loss (unless one is exclusively working on that aspect), but it does make you feel stronger, not just physically but also mentally. For me, being able to lift heavier (during strength training) or working out for a longer duration, or even shaking a leg or two during dance fitness (even though my eye hand coordination is quite questionable 😊), has changed the way I approach life. Being able to push myself during a workout, makes me feel that life is within my control.

There are so many things that are beyond your control (especially when you are bringing up an individual with additional needs), but working out, teaches you that, you can push yourself harder, broaden your horizons, step out of your comfort zone and you can exercise control over how you feel about yourself and life, in general.  Working out changes your mindset. It sometimes, makes me feel almost invincible.

My suggestion to all caregivers, is to take up a hobby or any form of fitness activity that you would like to do or are most comfortable engaging in, and create small pockets of “me time” and self-care, for yourself, every day. Make conscious movement a part of your life. This small change, will hold you in good stead, in the long run. Health (both physical and mental) is what will keep you sane in the long journey as a caregiver!
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*I have been working out at Cult.fit Begumpet, since March 2024 and I would like to thank the trainers, Harsha Mudhiraj, Sandeep Shaw and Malluri Vineeth, for making the fitness journey so enjoyable, thus far.

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Author Dr.Triveni Goswami Vernal

Dr.Triveni Goswami Vernal is a Registered Special Educator (CRR: A64010), a Psychologist and an Expressive Arts Therapy Practitioner (UNESCO-CID). She is an Avaz Certified Educator and Certified in Dyslexia Teacher Training. She is also an art educator for children with additional needs.

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“Red Sea Horse”
Acrylic Painting on Watercolour Paper
Kabir Vernal