There are a lot of observances in November and one of them is Caregivers appreciation. Not everyone has the gift, patience, and tolerance to keep others health and needs afloat. If you are a caregiver of any sort than todays blog is for you!
Take Care of You Too
As much as we appreciate those who put the needs of others first, we must learn to balance the needs of self too. It isn’t any longer heroic to make you last to the point that you are depleted of energy. The notion of not asking for help because you “can do it all” needs to stop too. You must invest in your own health both physically and mentally. The investment comes in with living a healthy balanced lifestyle. That lifestyle comes from learning daily ways to enrich your life with all of the things you need.
Receiving Help for Caregivers
We know how hard it is to ask for help but it’s even harder to receive help. Don’t cut off your help just to appear strong. Strong people ask and receive help. This can come in many forms as well. Let others pour into you. Allow people to give you a break. A break is a wonderful thing. It’s okay to take a rest or do something you love. Be okay with receiving the help that you need so that you’re able to recharge.
Take the Break
If you are being a taker for someone else and that comes in many forms. If you can’t take a traditional break like a vacation or physically leave, take small breaks in your home. Set up a space in your home to indulge. Make those around you respect your space and time. You respect your own time. Take your break by shutting down your phone. Enjoy your activity. Life will be there when you’re done. Drink a favorite drink or food. Go do that activity you loved. Enjoy being the you that you were before caretaking became a part of your life.
Guilt-Free Breaks
Caregivers have the heart of people on them so much that the guilt of taking breaks is real. You will never replace the love tenacity that you have for your loved ones just from taking a break! A break renews you. It builds you up from the inside out. All of the strength you need to do an excellent job comes from a break! You will enjoy you and what life has to offer you from taking breaks. Also those you take care of will appreciate you too. Take the guilt out by reminding yourself that you deserve rest and restoration.
Signs of Burnout for Caregivers:
- High levels of frustration in the form of yelling or being short
- Withdrawal from friends and family
- Lack of sleep and inability to sleep like normal
- Getting sick often
- Lack of interest in activities
Small Activities to Increase Self Care
What are the things that you loved? Find them and do them. Read a book, warm bath with some smell goods, take a nap, or take a 15 minute walk. These are some small ways of keeping your wits about you. Being a caregiver is hard work. Whether you are a Mother, a child taking care of a sick parent, etc. it can be draining at times. So you must take precaution in what you are putting back into your own cup. Fill your cup first so you can give to others and not the other way around. There are no reason to walk around irritable, angry, and feeling lost based on the inability to put things into perspective.
Be Honest About Where You Are
It doesn’t take away from the great help and care giving that you are doing to be honest about what you are feeling. If you are overwhelmed and have a great support system, speak up. There are a lot of other care giving groups on and off line too. So if you find that you don’t have a strong set of friends or family, adjust your mindset on what your village is supposed to look like. This means taking that vulnerable step to find the groups you can be involved with and also participate.
So let’s love the ones we are caregivers to but let’s also pour back into our cups too! It’s okay to take a break. Be willing to receive the help that is needed.
