Caregiver Self-Care & Stress

As a child caregiver to my sick mother, I was far from tuned-in to the importance of caring for myself. Life for me was about caring for my mom first. When I reflect on this now, I realize how unfortunate that was for me and my own wellbeing. It is vital for caregivers of sick loved ones to make sure that they are taking the time they need to care for themselves as well.

According to the report entitled On Pins and Needles – Caregivers of Adults with Mental Illness presented by The National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC), it is estimated that at least 8.4 million Americans provide care to an adult with an emotional or mental health issue. That is a lot of caregivers!

From my own experience, I want to encourage caregivers to make yourself a priority. When we are nurtured and cared for, we will be able to care for our loved ones the way we would want. And, we empower ourselves to better handle those unanticipated challenges. Our adaptability and recovery from setbacks is much easier when we are balanced and strong. We can do that by tuning into our bodies and understanding how stress impacts each of us.

Here are some emotional symptoms of stress:

• Feelings of overwhelm, being easily agitated, moody or frustrated, feeling down on yourself or worthless

Some physical symptoms of stress:

• Having overall low energy, physical stomach upset, headaches, or insomnia

Some cognitive symptoms of stress:

• Perpetually worrying, forgetfulness, being pessimistic and unable to see anything but negativity

Some behavioral signs of stress:

• Overeating or drinking or procrastination

4 things we can do to care for ourselves:

1. Give yourself permission to carve out time just for you daily. Do something physical that will serve our health. It could be taking a walk, going for run, or taking a yoga class – give yourself permission to take an hour just to get some physical movement into your day.
2. Make sure you are eating well. This means mindful eating that includes less processed foods and more whole grains and vegetables which will help stabilize your energy levels.
3. Create a sleep space that enables you to get enough sound sleep so that you are well rested and are feeling rejuvenated.
4. Create some clear headspace for yourself: Consider incorporating breathing or meditation practices that allow you to clear your head and recharge mentally.

I hope these ideas help. Please remember to care for yourself so that you are in a place to be able to support those you love. Thank you for all you do to care for your loved ones.