The importance of self-care for caregivers
How to put on your own oxygen mask.
Looking after other people is an important and admirable role.
Some people are paid carers, while others are not paid for the care they give to a parent, child, or a loved one.
Anyone who has taken care of another person can tell you that while it may be very rewarding, it can also be very difficult at times. Caring can take a toll physically and mentally – even if it’s for someone you love and want to care for.
So, whatever the context of the role, it’s important that carers look after themselves, too.
Looking after yourself
If you’re finding the caregiving road to be a tough one, rest assured that it’s normal and you are far from alone.
Here are some tips that might help.
Accept help
If you’re caring for a friend or family member, there may be others who can help. Take people up on their offers of help where possible. And, remember that sometimes we need to ask for what we need, so try to reach out to those around you.
When other people do offer to help, have a list of tasks ready such as grocery shopping, or just sitting with the person you are caring for while you have a break. This way, if someone offers, you won’t struggle to come up with something helpful for them to do.
Also, look into what the person you are caring for is entitled to in terms of government aide, like respite care, and follow up on it.
Connect with community
There are often support groups for carers in specific situations which are a great resource. Just being able to talk to others experiencing similar things is invaluable – and there is often great advice on offer.
Not only does social connection trigger oxytocin, the feel-good ‘bonding hormone’, but it’s been linked with better physical health and longevity, and has also been shown to contribute to lower levels of depression and anxiety.
Stay on top of your health
This means getting enough sleep, exercising, and eating well. It becomes difficult to make time for these things when busy attending to the needs of someone else, but the oxygen mask analogy applies here: you must take care of yourself before you can effectively take care of someone else.
When we find little ways to bring movement into every day, we can start to notice a big difference to how we feel both physically and mentally. This is because keeping active releases endorphins - one of the brain’s feel-good hormones.