Self Care for Caregivers
As we care for our loved ones we tend to stop caring less about ourselves. We wear the cape for others and in doing so we don’t have enough time or energy to recharge or renew ourselves. Self care looks different for everyone and is not always getting our hair and nails done but when you can, do that too 🥰. Here are some others ways you can practice self care:
Pray daily and read your Bible
Long or Short walks or a free virtual exercise video
Making sure you are staying hydrated with water/electrolytes and taking a multivitamin
Being still and actually focusing on your breathing. Focused breathing can lower your heart rate, calms your thinking and brings you back to the present moment, shifting you away from worrying about the future.
Getting some sun (don’t forget your sunscreen)
Taking a nap
Eating more veggies and fruits
Making doctor’s appointments when needed and keeping your appointment. Going to any follow-ups as well.
Accept and share hugs often
Allow yourself to process and release any bottled emotions in a safe and healthy way (ex: good old fashioned cry or writing in a journal). This can also look like going to a caregivers support group, seeking help through a licensed therapist in an in- person setting or via a verified online resource.
Listening to uplifting music or podcasts. Watch a funny movie or videos of your favorite comedian and LAUGH
Practice Gratefulness daily. The dictionary definition of gratefulness states it’s the appreciation for kindness received.
Taking time to be present in a positive moment or experience. My daughter gifted me tickets to see one of favorite artists. I was so excited to be in a different city and seeing this artist in person that I took several videos to capture the moment but I missed the opportunity to experience the experience. Videos are great to prove the fact you were there but to experience performance, the dancing, the visuals, the sense of connection with other concert goers, the healing that can come from seeing “that one song” that touched you when you first ever heard it, being performed live and see the true emotion of the artist and the other concert goers.
Start getting to know THE REAL YOU. I have learned that most of our thoughts and ways have been created and shaped by other peoples thoughts, ideas, fears and opinions. While these things can give us different perspectives to consider it should NEVER be the blueprint of how the choices for YOUR life are made nor how our thoughts, actions or opinions are formed. Life experiences differ, maturity occurs at different stages and levels of life and for some it never happens. Always vet out your thoughts good or bad because thoughts become actions/decisions and I once heard someone say “ Our life is the sum total of all the decisions we made”.
Challenge negative thoughts
Be good to yourself, we show others how to treat us based on how we treat ourselves.
Pick an accountability partner. It’s one thing to make sure the plan of care for your loved is followed but it’s another to make sure you have one and follow it as the caregiver.
ASK FOR HELP!!!! Seek the help of trusted family, friends or if possible a in-home respite service to allow you mental and physical breaks.
Have an open mind. An open mind doesn’t mean you accept what is being said, only that you are respectfully allowing someone else to express their thoughts in order to get a different perspective or have their true motives.
Peace is created and not given. It only exists in environments that are conducive to its existence.
