Practicing Self Care is the Best Way to Care for Others

Whether you’re caring for a loved one or you’re a professional caregiver caring for the loved ones of others, prioritizing your self care should be at the top of your list.

The truth of the matter is that you cannot pour from an empty cup. As a caregiver, this means that you cannot effectively care for others in a genuinely beneficial way without first making sure you’re caring for yourself. The effect on one’s physical and emotional wellbeing can be overwhelming. Often, when a person being cared for is under duress, their caregiver can feel it also. That empathy is what drives many caregivers, but it can also lead to exhaustion and burnout. The mental stress experienced regularly can have a negative effect. It’s true. You cannot care for others properly if you’re not putting your own needs first. It’s imperative not only for yourself but for those under your care.

Fortunately, there are some realistic, easy ways to prioritize your mental health.

  • Journaling – Keeping a journal is one of the best ways to improve long-term stress levels and your overall mood. Writing for just 20 minutes a day can have positive, long-term effects, both mentally and physically. It’s one of the most therapeutic actions you can take, and the you can feel the benefits immediately. You can learn more about journaling and all its benefits here.
  • Meditation – Often, people hear the word meditation and immediately think, “I could never stop my thoughts long enough to meditate.” Here’s the kicker – no one can; it’s impossible. That’s not the point. Sitting with yourself in silence allows you to be aware of your thoughts, and instead of reacting to them, acknowledge them without attachment to the feelings they induce. Even ten minutes a day (sometimes less!) produces benefits such as stress reduction, increased concentration, peace of mind, reduced blood pressure numbers, better sleep, and much more. You can find out more about meditation, how to get started, and its many benefits here.
  • Yoga – Yoga is another fantastic way to prioritize yourself before you start giving to others. As with journaling and meditation, it doesn’t take much time out of your day to produce massive benefits. Just 15 minutes a day has effects such as stress reduction, better sleep, more energy, boosts your immune system, and allows you to communicate with your body and how each part of it feels. This quick, 15-minute routine is easy to follow, and it’s enough to have you feeling real results very soon. 

There are many more ways to put yourself first daily.

The practices listed in this article take less than an hour a day in total, and you’ll find the benefits to be exponential. Caring for yourself first allows you to fully serve those you care for, in the most fulfilling and rewarding way possible, for both you and those in your charge. If you do find yourself caring for a loved one and feeling overwhelmed, reach out and let us help you, care for you.

November 2020: Recognizing Family Caregivers

November is National Family Caregiver Month. This month, we recognize the importance of those that serve as caregivers for their loved ones. 

In 1994, the Caregiver Action Network dubbed November as the month to recognize and honor those Americans that give their time and energy to care for the ones they love. This year’s theme is “Caregiving Around the Clock,” and for a good reason. 

Of the 53 million adults who identify as a family caregiver, 40% of them live with the person they care for full-time. 

Being a family caregiver is no small feat. Caring for another person can be a full-time job. Given that most Americans require two incomes to support their households, most family caregivers juggle careers, children, and life in general. Whether you’re an adult child caring for a parent, or a spouse caring for your other half, caregiver burnout is a real thing. The pandemic doesn’t make things any easier. The CDC is now recommending that family caregivers be assessed regular mental health assessments in the future. 

Currently, almost 40% of those caring for a loved one are experiencing anxiety and depression directly related to COVID-19.

Some of that anxiety is from the everyday stress of juggling life and caring full-time for another adult. But some of this stress comes from situations we’ve never seen before in our lifetimes. For example, the decision to keep a parent home versus moving them into a senior living community. While the idea of being around one’s peers and having the socialization that communities can offer, the pandemic has many people choosing to keep their loved-ones home, where it’s safer from the risk of infection. For some, their loved ones were living away from home when Covid hit the US. Now, the concern is the isolation that their loved-ones are facing while visitors are no longer allowed into facilities. 

Whatever the situation, family caregivers are facing unparalleled levels of anxiety and stress.

National Family Caregiver Month is an excellent time to remember that you can’t pour from an empty cup. If you’re a family caregiver, you must take care of yourself first, no matter how counterintuitive it may feel in the moments of everyday life. Taking care of yourself looks like getting enough sleep, exercise, and yes, even time away from the person you’re caring for. 

It can be challenging to decide what you can remove from your plate when caring for someone you love. Start with small doses. For example, managing your loved one’s medications can be a daunting task. Have an agency come in and take over this task for you. It takes an hour or less a week, but the weight off of your shoulders is invaluable. You can also hire an agency to provide respite care. Respite can give you the much-needed opportunity to step away and take time for yourself. Having someone you trust to take care of your loved one while you take care of yourself is also invaluable. 

You may feel guilty about taking time for yourself, but having the time to fill your cup will make huge strides in your quality of life. And that will positively impact the quality of time and care that you’re able to provide your parent, spouse, or other family members. If you’re a family caregiver and struggling with caregiver burnout, reach out to us. A Place At Home offers both respite care and medication management, among other services. Our priority is caring for your loved one so that you can care for yourself.