5 Things for Taking Care of the Caregiver

Introduction

Being a caregiver is a tough job, no matter how much you love the person you’re caring for. It’s stressful, it can be exhausting, and it requires a lot of time away from your own life and needs. So how can we ensure that we stay healthy—both physically and mentally—as we care for others? I asked some experts on what they recommend their clients do to take care of themselves when they become caregivers. Here are their tips:

Click Here if You Feel Like You Have No Time to Care for Yourself

You’re probably thinking, “But wait! I don’t have time for that. I need every second of my day to care for my partner, who is not well. I need to take care of all the other things that come with being his caregiver too!”

You are right on all counts. You do need every second of your day and night to take care of your partner (and yourself). And yes, there are lots more things than just caring for their physical health—you also have their mental health and well-being to consider as well. You may even find yourself falling into a hole at times when it comes down to how much energy you can muster up in order to give them everything they need and want from you.

So how do we find time? How do we make sure our partners know they aren’t being neglected while we take care them? How do we keep ourselves healthy so that we can continue being there for them?

How to Stop Feeling Guilty When You Sleep in Late

When you’re taking care of someone else, you might feel guilty about not doing anything just because it’s the weekend. You may feel guilty about sleeping in on Saturday morning, guiltily indulging in a nap after lunch, or guiltily taking a vacation for an entire week (or two).

But there are other things that you can do that won’t make you feel as bad. Here are some ideas:

• Cleaning the house has to be done. Many times your loved one neglects housekeeing. It is her responsibility to clean her own home, but the level of cleanliness declines. If it is unsafe or unsanitary, you need to step in. If she insists on doing it and asks for help from time to time, be polite but allow her to help or do what she can do. You can always clean when she falls asleep. And if she insists that she really wants to clean up all by herself? Then offer to give her some tips or show her how things work. That way everyone wins!

Reclaim Your Day with a Two-Minute Meditation

It’s time to reclaim your day with a two-minute meditation.

• Find a quiet place to sit down, preferably in a comfortable chair or on the floor with your legs crossed.
• Close your eyes, take three deep breaths, and focus on the feeling of breathing in and out.
• You can also use this time to say a mantra (a phrase or word) silently to yourself such as “peace” or “I am strong.” This will help keep you focused on what matters most during this short period of restful reflection.

Here’s How to Stay Organized as a Caregiver and Parent

• Organize Your Home

If you’re caring for someone who has dementia or Alzheimer’s, it can help to have your home organized so that you are able to make the most out of your time with them. This means keeping things tidy and uncluttered in their rooms, but also organizing any belongings that might be scattered throughout the house. You want to make sure they know where everything is if they need something specific, as well as making sure they don’t get lost while wandering around looking for something specific themselves. The same goes for medications: keep them all together in one spot (and check expiration dates).

• Organize Your Schedule

It’s important that caregivers set aside time each day specifically devoted just towards taking care of themselves—this includes making sure that they eat healthy meals, getting enough sleep at night and even having some downtime each day by watching TV shows or reading books on their own (or whatever else they want!). Make sure this is written down somewhere so everyone knows what needs doing! If possible take breaks from being busy too many hours straight without stopping once or twice during the day—even just five minutes will do wonders for keeping up morale levels!

How to Take a Deep Breath and Be Good with Yourself When You Fail at Self-Care

• It’s okay to fail at self-care.
• Get back on track by taking a deep breath and being good with yourself when you fail.
• Don’t beat yourself up when you fail.
• Don’t be hard on yourself.
• Don’t let guilt take over your life and make decisions for you, or else it will control your life from here on out!

Self-care is more than just the occasional spa day.

Self-care is more than just the occasional spa day.

Self-care is a way of life, not just a luxury.

It is necessary, not selfish.

Conclusion

Self-care is easier than you think. You don’t need a full spa day to take care of yourself, just a few minutes each day. Start by doing the things that make you feel good and work from there. If that means taking a bubble bath every night, go for it!