SAra’s story
Sara shares her personal story and six ways to care for yourself as a caregiver.
At first, Sara felt a sense of duty born out of love for her mother.
She was determined to provide the best care possible for her mother, who had suffered a stroke. As a result, she forgot to care for herself.
As a result, sleepless nights were spent worrying about her mother’s health.
The constant demands of caregiving left her feeling overwhelmed.
Sara felt a sense of guilt that haunted every moment she spent away from her mother.
Of course, she neglected her well-being as well as ignored her mental and physical health.
She felt trapped in a never-ending cycle of caregiving, unable to see a way out.
Sara was trapped and became resentful. Finally, she reached her breaking point. She collapsed into tears, feeling utterly depleted and alone.
“There are only four kinds of people in the world: Those who have been caregivers. Those who are currently caregivers. Those who will be caregivers, and those who will need a caregiver.”
– Rosalyn Carter
sara’s self-care
She couldn’t continue down this path any longer. Something had to give. She needed help, both for herself and for her mother.
Sara began to prioritize her well-being. She started taking breaks when needed, allowing herself time to rest and recharge.
She rekindled her hobbies and interests, finding solace in activities that brought her joy.
As Sara focused on self-care, she noticed a shift in her relationship with her mother.
Instead of feeling burdened by her caregiving responsibilities, she found moments of connection and tenderness.
She learned to cherish the small victories and celebrate the moments of clarity and laughter.
Though things were far from easy, Sara’s mental health was better and she felt a sense of strength and stability.
She had learned the importance of self-care and the power of asking for help when needed.
Today, Sarah continues to care for her mother with more love and compassion.
She emerged through the fire of burnout, more proactive and resilient than ever before.
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Allow yourself the same grace you would offer a friend, and remember that seeking Support when needed is okay, as it’s natural to experience various emotions.
Sarah’s Tips TO self-care
Caregiving requires unintentional sacrifice, so we often neglect our own well-being while caring for others.
As a result, the risk of our own declining physical and mental health increase.
Self-care is not just a luxury but a necessity for caregivers. Your role is invaluable, and it’s crucial to realize to care for yourself comes first.
1. Set Boundaries
Care for yourself requires defining boundaries and admitting to yourself that you too need time off without feeling guilty.
Therefore, you need to establish what your role is and what your responsbility requires.
Are you meeting their physical needs or do they require you to fulfill emotional, mental and financial needs as well?
You need to recognize your limits so that you can communicate them.
This is essential to prevent burnout and to create space to care for yourself as well.
2. TAKE BREAKS
Now that you have established your role and boundaries you can better manage your time.
Caregiving can be challenging because there can be many unexpected stressful events throughout the day.
You can reduce stress and prevent compassion fatigue by taking breaks to reset and recharge your mind.
Use your down time to engage in activities you enjoy and that can distract you such as reading, walking, listening to music, or relaxation exercises.
So when you return to the unpredictable nature of the job you are better able to deal with whatever comes your way.
3. Seek Support
Remember, you don’t have to do this alone. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness but a sign of how to care for yourself as a caregiver.
Reach out to others. I know that it is easier said than done but their are some resources.
For example, some insurance will cover home health services such as home health aid, physical therapist and nurse.
A designated home health team can be a huge support. Insurance companies are incorporating more resources for home health benefits.
Consider short term respite care with a private home health agency if you feel burn out coming.
It can feel extremely lonely but there are many people that understand, and it’s important to lean on that when needed.
Join a caregiver support group on Facebook or Reddit, which is a great way to exchange stories and connect to people with similar struggles.
4. Prioritize health
You know the old saying, if you can’t help yourself, you can’t help others. Maintain regular practices to help care for yourself.
Make exercise, a healthy diet, and sound sleep, a priority. Exercise is a great way to reduce stress and improve mood.
Consider your mental health needs and what things you can do to care for yourself.
5. Practice Self-Compassion
Be kind to yourself and accept that caregiving is challenging. Embrace the ups and downs.
Allow yourself the same grace you would offer a friend, and remember that seeking support when needed is okay, as it’s natural to experience various emotions.
6. Practice Relaxation Techniques
You know, as well as I know that caregiving can be super stressful. Use relaxation and mindfulness tools to care for yourself.
Relaxation strategies using mindfulness exercises help regulate the nervous system.
YouTube is an excellent free resource that provides great relaxing content from music to various mediations.
My relaxation tools
To help wind down at night, try these exercises on Youtube: progressive muscle relaxation and yoga nidra.
Other helpful apps are Headspace, CALM app, and Insight Timer.
Remember, there are many tools to help you to care for yourself, it is about finding what works best for you.
Final Thoughts
Caring for a loved one can be one of the most profound acts of love and compassion, but it is also one of the hardest things one can do.
By prioritizing these tips to help to care for yourself, you can successfully fulfill your role as a caregiver.
Remember, self-care isn’t selfish—it’s vital to being a healthy and effective caregiver.
