Self-care for Caregivers

Posted on February 18, 2021 by Leah Marshall, One of Thousands of Life Coaches on Noomii.

Caregivers are heroes. From parents to nurses, to siblings and loved ones, caregivers work hard to care for others. While it can be rewarding, it can also be taxing in many ways. Sometimes, caregivers work so hard that they get ill, burnout, and start to feel desperate. That’s why it’s vital that caregivers practice self-care. Without self-care, caregivers will find it much harder to care for others. Let’s explore how caregivers can practice self-care, and how to avoid burnout.

We all have resources. Some are internal, which include things like mindfulness, creativity, positive self-talk, and spirituality. Others are external like good friends, financial resources, community support, or close family connections. Anything that supports, benefits, or relieves a caregiver is a resource.

The trouble is that a lot of caregivers feel like they have to do it all on their own. They have to be everything to everyone. So, they don’t recognize all the resources that are available to them. It leads to a lot of problems including poor self-care habits and burnout.

Learning to identify your resources is one of the most vital things a caregiver can do. Those resources can help remove the pressure of care giving so you can focus on practicing healthy self-care.

Sit down and make a list of all your internal resources. Get creative and think deeply. Then, list all of your external resources. Take a highlighter and highlight all the resources you use. Look what’s left and see how you can improve your self-care by utilizing more of them.

Make Self-Care a Priority
It might seem like a big ask here, but making self-care a priority is imperative. Think about a car. What would happen if you just stopped putting gas in the tank? What could go wrong if you never changed the oil? What if you ignored a leak or even a nail in the tire? The car would eventually break down. With enough neglect, the damage could be permanent.

Much like the car, your mind, spirit, and body need constant maintenance. You will break down and burnout if you put off taking care of yourself. Self-care is what makes it possible for you to continue to care for others.

3. Ignore the Haters
   Most of us have people in our lives who are going to judge, demean, and shame us no matter what we do. But, our culture seems to especially like to shame caregivers. There’s no winning. There’s always someone there to make negative and disparaging comments no matter what.

The best policy is to ignore the haters. Do your best to surround yourself with positive, supportive people. Avoid spending time around harsh, judgmental people as much as you can.

Remember, the most important opinion is your own. If you’re happy, and doing your best then you’re doing pretty good. If you’re unhappy and know you can do better, then you have an opportunity to improve. Don’t give your power over to other people. You need it for yourself.

Practice the Self-Care Basics
Self-care goes way beyond candy and bubble-baths. You have to practice the basics of self-care before you can advance on to the fancy things.

First, there’s sleep. Sleep is arguably the most important aspect of self-care. Without enough sleep, your body doesn’t function properly. Not only do you experience fatigue and impaired judgment, but you could cause heart problems, mental health challenges, and more. You must sleep or you won’t be able to take care of others.

If you find it difficult to sleep, contact your doctor. They can help you adopt healthy sleep practices, find the proper medication, or help you identify any other issues that might be causing your sleeplessness.

Second, you need to hydrate. I feel like a hypocrite saying this but your mind and body will struggle if you don’t drink enough water. Proper hydration is key to your body’s ability to function. It helps with joint health, blood pressure, bowel function, kidney health, and more.

Next, you need healthy nutrition. Fast food and frozen burritos will only get you so far. Our bodies need key enzymes, vitamins, minerals, proteins, and more to function.

Good nutrition supports your immune system and energy. It can also prevent diseases and help keep you healthy and happy over time. On the other hand, poor nutrition can leave you vulnerable to illness, disease, and long term health problems.

Another aspect is hygiene. Not only can poor hygiene make you look and smell a little funny, but it can also leave you vulnerable to illnesses, discomfort, and self-esteem issues. Regular bathing, clean clothes, and oral care are vital parts of self-care.

Learn to Take a Break
It’s easy to feel an immense amount of pressure and responsibility when it’s your job to take care of someone else. A lot of caregivers find it difficult to take a break without feeling anxious. That anxiety can hinder the point of self-care. It’s difficult, but learning to take a break is a necessary part of being a caregiver. It’s absolutely vital for your physical and mental health, and it can help you be a better caregiver overall.

If you find it difficult to take a break without feeling crushed with anxiety, it’s time to talk to your doctor or a therapist. They can help you find ways to feel calm and peaceful when it’s time to take a break.

Self-care is the key to being a healthy and successful caregiver. It can help you maintain your physical and mental health so that you can be strong for the people that need you. So, sit down and find ways to improve the way you care for yourself. Look for resources to help you avoid burnout, and make self-care a part of your daily life. It is a gift that you can give yourself, and the people you care about.