5 Ways a Caregiver Can Care for Themselves
Caring for someone with cancer is a demanding job, but it’s important to make sure you take care of yourself too. Here are five ways to do just that.
Caregivers devote a significant amount of time and energy to caring for people living with cancer.
However, they must also maintain their own physical and mental health in order to continue providing effective care for long periods of time. In this post, we will outline some ways you as a caregiver can take care of yourself and maintain your well-being.
1. Remember That Some Things are Outside Your Control
When caring for someone with cancer, it is important to remember that people can only impact the course of diseases to a certain degree with science and medicine. Despite the entire team’s best efforts, cancer can always recur or spread to other areas of the body. Therefore, try your best to stay focused on the present and refrain from blaming yourself when things aren’t going as well.
2. Practice Self-Care
While devoting so much time and energy to supporting others, it’s important to remember to pay attention to your own health. In order to provide effective care, try your best to eat well and exercise so that you have enough energy to sustain you through long, demanding hours.
You can also try out a variety of self-care activities that facilitate mental or spiritual health, such as journaling, meditation, and yoga. If you feel hesitant about devoting time to your own care, remember that seeking and receiving emotional support from others can help maintain your mental health. Don’t hesitate to reach out to family and friends as often as you need!
3. Find Ways to Express Your Emotions & Thoughts Openly
Caregivers must stay positive in the face of obstacles and refrain from expressing negative emotions in front of those they are caring for, but you should still try to acknowledge and process anything that you’re feeling in a safe space.
If you feel sad or frustrated, you can contact family and friends or see a therapist. Therapy provides a confidential, safe space for you to express your thoughts without judgment. A therapist can also provide you with effective techniques to manage your emotions.
4. Make Time to Do What You Love
As a caregiver dedicating so much time to caring for others, you may start to feel disconnected from your own wants and needs. However, you can maintain healthy boundaries with caregiving by investing time in the things that make you happy.
Specifically, engaging in creative tasks, picking up a new hobby, or learning a new skill can renew your sense of self-agency and serve as a productive distraction in a time where things can feel completely out of your control. This can help you avoid burnout by taking necessary breaks to recharge.
5. Ask for Help… Don’t Do it Alone
Caregiving is a demanding responsibility and often requires a team effort. If you feel overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance from friends and family.
People are often extremely willing to help, but don’t reach out because they don’t know what exactly to offer. Therefore, making more specific requests is beneficial for all parties involved. You could ask people around you to drive your kids to and from school, or run an errand on your behalf.
Those that care about you will feel great about being able to help out with actionable tasks, and you will get the support you really need. If you care for a family member, you can also balance responsibilities with other relatives by setting up a shared care calendar or hire a professional caregiver if financially feasible.
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