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1) Be Kind to Yourself<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When you\u2019re a caregiver, self-care is critical. Like putting on your own oxygen mask first, before helping others on a plane, you’re unable to be a good caregiver if you get too drained. Many caregivers spend so much time and energy taking care of others that they neglect themselves, and if you don\u2019t take care of yourself, your ability to provide quality care suffers. That doesn\u2019t mean letting go of your responsibilities or denying yourself things\u2014it means making yourself a priority and building good self-care habits (like getting enough sleep). It also means talking about these challenges with someone who can support you through them. A supportive partner or friend can help keep you grounded when you need it most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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2) Understand What Self Care Is<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Self care is all about taking care of yourself, and no, it’s not selfish. You can\u2019t do it all and you shouldn\u2019t try, and you don’t have an unlimited supply of energy to take care of other people without taking some time to take care of yourself. It\u2019s crucial to be honest with yourself and others about what you can handle and when your energy reserves are drained. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Self care is: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- taking time for yourself<\/li>
- making sure your needs are met<\/li>
- making sure your stress levels don’t get out of control<\/li>
- getting enough sleep<\/li>
- finding joy in what you’re doing<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Self care is not: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- selfish<\/li>
- manipulative<\/li>
- giving up<\/li>
- leaving altogether<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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Photo by Saradhi Photography<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n 3) Set Boundaries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Staying healthy as a caregiver is about more than just caring for others; it\u2019s also about taking care of yourself. Set boundaries for when you need help or want time alone so that everyone in your life knows what to expect from you. And don\u2019t feel guilty when you say no\u2014you aren\u2019t a bad person if you need time to rest and can’t take care of everything that’s being asked of you. In fact, saying no is a valuable form of self care! Sit down with your loved ones, and discuss what you can handle (and what you can\u2019t). If they refuse to participate and help, if it’s your children, there are consequences you can dole out (for example, grounding them from their devices), but if it’s your parents or someone else you’re caring for, you may feel stuck and frustrated. There are other support avenues out there though, from paid respite help, to counseling, to leaning on your support network to get through. Walking away, even for a short time, can help you feel empowered and restore some of your energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You aren\u2019t a bad person if you need time to rest and can’t take care of everything that’s being asked of you. In fact, saying no is a valuable form of self care!<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
4) Remember Why You’re Doing It<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s really easy to forget why you\u2019re working so hard when you\u2019re working so hard. So stop every once in a while and ask yourself Why am I doing what I\u2019m doing? Ideally, you’re caregiving from a place of love, rather than a lack of other options, so spend time to reflect on your love for the person\/ people you’re taking care of, and maybe find a fun activity that’s restorative for both of you. For your children, maybe it’s a day at the park or the beach, maybe it’s going to the library, maybe it’s going out for ice cream. For your parents or other elders, maybe it’s getting a pedicure, or going to the park, or popping popcorn and watching a movie together at home that you both enjoy. Regardless, it’s much easier to remember why you are caregiving when you take time to practice self-care, and can take that much-needed breath to focus on you and ensure that your batteries are recharged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One form of self care is finding ways to reduce annoyances in your life– and an easy way to save yourself hours of stress and frustration– is taking three minutes to set up Easeenet. Never forget a password again, and have all of your critical documents and information at your fingertips!<\/p>\n\n\n\n