How To Best Care For Yourself While Caring For Others
The National Alliance For Caregiving found that 65.7 million people served as caregivers for an ill relative or loved one in 2018. That amounts to about 30% of the population! There are so many women, men, and children who offer their support for the recovery of their loved ones. But that support doesn’t come without a cost.
On average, people estimate that a caregiver will spend about 25 hours per week on their duties and responsibilities on top of their normal work schedule. This demand can put a lot of strain on the part of the caregiver, causing them to lose sight of their own needs.
It can be extremely stressful caring for a loved one. Between doctors appointments, errand runs, and day-to-day activities the toll caring takes on a person can be taxing. I’m going to say something and I really want you to try and take it to heart,
Caring for yourself is just as important as caring for your loved one.
If you are taking care of your own mental and physical wellbeing, you are allowing yourself to be more present and active in your caregiving responsibilities. When you feel better, you are able to offer better care to your loved ones. It can be extremely difficult to prioritize your health when you place so much of your time caring for others, but it is something you have to do. You might feel like thinking about your own needs is selfish compared to the needs of your loved ones. But if you are not well enough to take care of yourself, how will you be able to take care of them?
Caring for yourself is not selfish or unproductive. It is a vital step in the caregiving process that will help both you and your loved ones live a happier and healthier life. I’d like to show you some simple ways that you can continue to care for yourself without sacrificing your care of others.
Call In Reinforcements
When you are caring for an aging parent or a loved one you don’t have to do it all yourself. Call up your siblings, extended family, or close friends to lend a hand in the process. Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Especially if you are working full-time, you will need all of the help you can get. It is always best to divide responsibilities so that you don’t get burned out.
With the myriad of responsibilities, caregiving requires, have each person pitch in when they can and where it makes the most sense for them. Maybe the doctor’s office is right by your sister’s work or your husband gets home before you do and could help do some grocery shopping, and even your kids could help cook meals or clean up around the house. You could even make a chart and rotate responsibilities weekly so that you can keep track of progress and note what has and has not been taken care of. There are so many ways you can recruit additional family members and friends to help you out so that the burden doesn’t entirely fall on your shoulders.
Stay Active
Regular exercise is a staple in a healthy routine. When you exercise, you strengthen your body which makes you feel happy and more productive. Many people think of exercise as an hour all to themselves, specifically dedicated to improving their body. This is such a positive way to look at it. As opposed to seeing exercise as a burden or something you don’t have time for, think about it as your time to do something good for yourself.
When caregiving, it is so important not to disregard your own needs. Exercising can be as simple as walking around your neighborhood or going for a swim at your local pool. It is different for each person, so find the type of workout you enjoy so that you make time for it. If you love yoga, for example, make it a priority to go to a yoga class 2-3 times per week. When you prioritize your health, you will feel more energized to take on your day.
Remain Present
When you are caring for someone else, the duties that come along with that can take up so much of your time that you forget to do the things you love like talking to your friends on the phone or going on a date with your spouse. It is important to actively remain present in your life so that you do not lose sight of who you are.
You can also take some time outside of your caregiving role, like popping the new baby bubble, it is ok to have a change of scenery by going to a movie, spending the day with your kids, or grabbing lunch with some friends.
Even though caregiving will take a lot of your time and attention, it is not the only part of your life. By remembering that and being present in your own life you will be happier and will be better able to keep that balance you need.
Caregiving is a noble task—one filled with many ups and downs but ultimately done for the good of someone you love. By caring for your parents or loved one, you are showing them how much you care. They care about you too and always want to see you doing well. You owe it to yourself, your loved one, and your family to take care of yourself too.