Looking after the carer: how Victoria put her own wellbeing first
Contents
Brightly Health Coaching case study
At 69, Victoria was watching her older husband start to have health problems. She knew that if she was going to support him through whatever lay ahead, she needed to look after herself as well. So she came to Brightly Health Coaching to make her own health a priority.
What we worked on
Working with Brightly Health Coach Shelley Smith, Victoria focused on four areas: her emotional wellbeing, her energy, her strength and her peace of mind.
-
Managing anxiety. Victoria learned box breathing, a simple technique where you breathe in for four counts, hold for four, breathe out for four and hold for four. She can use it anywhere, whenever she feels anxious.
-
More energy. She increased her protein intake and has noticed she has more energy through the day.
-
Building strength. Victoria was already lifting weights at the gym. With encouragement, she started challenging herself to lift heavier and keep progressing.
-
Peace of mind. She got her legal affairs in order, including updating her will. Ticking it off the list lifted a weight she hadn’t fully realised she’d been carrying.
The results
Victoria reports a noticeable change in how she handles her emotions. She feels calmer and better able to manage stressful moments. She has more energy, is getting stronger at the gym, and feels more prepared for the future.
Why it matters
When someone we love starts to need more support, it’s easy to put our own health last. Victoria’s story shows that looking after yourself isn’t selfish. It’s what lets you keep showing up for the people who need you. Small, practical steps like a breathing technique, an extra serve of protein or one more kilo on the bar can add up to real resilience.
Interested in health coaching? Find out more about Health Coaching at Brightly on our website, or contact us today to learn more.