Meet Take Care Tips Founder, Jennifer Antkowiak
Hey, there! I'm Jen...I'm a wife, mom of five, Emmy award-winning TV news anchor, reporter and host, author, teacher, business coach, caregiver advocate, and entrepreneur.
That may seem like a lot of hats, but it all fits together nicely in my mind. The thread that connects it all is simple: I love human beings! As I try to take the best care of myself and my family; I help others do the same...whether it's through news stories, articles, books, blogs, a board room, corporate auditorium, classroom, or retreat---that's my focus, passion, and goal. I feel blessed to have been a caregiver for my mother-in-law and father-in-law, both of whom died of cancer. |
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As a young girl, I learned how a family deals with long-term illness---my mom suffered from post-partum depression, and died of a heart attack at age 50.
Like most caregivers, I threw my heart and soul into taking care of my loved ones, and as much as I don't like to admit it, I saw my own health deteriorate as a result. I wasn't sleeping much at all. I remember lying awake in bed worrying about what was happening, and frustrated that I wasn't able to accomplish everything I wanted to during the day. I wasn't eating well, and I learned that when you don't keep fuel going to your body, it starts to shut down to protect what it has. To make matters worse, I was so consumed by my caregiver responsibilities that I didn't make time to exercise. My metabolism slowed way down, and I gained a lot of weight.
When my in-laws were sick, I had new little babies at home...several of them, actually (I had five children in seven years). I also went back to work full-time, in a very public job as a TV News Anchor (CBS-Pittsburgh, KDKA). So, I had healthy people, a high-powered job, and sick loved ones to take care of---still, because I was so happy to be doing what I was doing, I didn't feel like I was under a lot of stress, and, I just kept going.
However, the body has a way of forcing you to slow down when needed. I started feeling chest pains, and ended up in an Emergency Room; then an overnight hospital stay-hooked up to heart monitors. I remember feeling frustrated about that, because, well, I didn't have time to be sick! Fortunately, my heart was healthy. The doctor told me I was suffering from anxiety. I was shocked! I had been saying, "I'm fine," for so long, that I guess I started to believe it. But, I knew better! I wasn't fine. The lack of sleep, exercise, proper nutrition, and increased stress had taken its toll. That's exactly how so many caregivers become patients...and why research shows caregivers often die before the people they're taking care of!
Those experiences fuel my mission for helping others get back to taking care of themselves! As a mom who also works outside of the home, I know there can be many obstacles in making self-care a priority. But, I am living proof that when you bust through those barriers and carve out even just a little time for you, great things happen! Your energy will go up. You will be more positive. You will be more passionate. You will be healthier. You will be happier! And...you will have the strength you need to care for all those you love, in the kind, patient way you want.
I'm excited to show you what I've learned, and continue to learn about self-care, and I hope these Take Care Tips will help you, too.
j.
Like most caregivers, I threw my heart and soul into taking care of my loved ones, and as much as I don't like to admit it, I saw my own health deteriorate as a result. I wasn't sleeping much at all. I remember lying awake in bed worrying about what was happening, and frustrated that I wasn't able to accomplish everything I wanted to during the day. I wasn't eating well, and I learned that when you don't keep fuel going to your body, it starts to shut down to protect what it has. To make matters worse, I was so consumed by my caregiver responsibilities that I didn't make time to exercise. My metabolism slowed way down, and I gained a lot of weight.
When my in-laws were sick, I had new little babies at home...several of them, actually (I had five children in seven years). I also went back to work full-time, in a very public job as a TV News Anchor (CBS-Pittsburgh, KDKA). So, I had healthy people, a high-powered job, and sick loved ones to take care of---still, because I was so happy to be doing what I was doing, I didn't feel like I was under a lot of stress, and, I just kept going.
However, the body has a way of forcing you to slow down when needed. I started feeling chest pains, and ended up in an Emergency Room; then an overnight hospital stay-hooked up to heart monitors. I remember feeling frustrated about that, because, well, I didn't have time to be sick! Fortunately, my heart was healthy. The doctor told me I was suffering from anxiety. I was shocked! I had been saying, "I'm fine," for so long, that I guess I started to believe it. But, I knew better! I wasn't fine. The lack of sleep, exercise, proper nutrition, and increased stress had taken its toll. That's exactly how so many caregivers become patients...and why research shows caregivers often die before the people they're taking care of!
Those experiences fuel my mission for helping others get back to taking care of themselves! As a mom who also works outside of the home, I know there can be many obstacles in making self-care a priority. But, I am living proof that when you bust through those barriers and carve out even just a little time for you, great things happen! Your energy will go up. You will be more positive. You will be more passionate. You will be healthier. You will be happier! And...you will have the strength you need to care for all those you love, in the kind, patient way you want.
I'm excited to show you what I've learned, and continue to learn about self-care, and I hope these Take Care Tips will help you, too.
j.
