Be Good to Yourself

Anyone who is a family caregiver to an aging parent or loved one can attest to the fact that being a caregiver isn’t easy. In fact, it is one of the hardest jobs you’ll ever have. However, you need to learn to take care of yourself because by taking care of yourself you are also taking care of your loved one.

While during care giving, it is normal to put one’s own needs to the side to focus on the person in care, we must not do this long-term as it can have serious negative outcomes. It is imperative to take good care of yourself if you ever plan on being able to give good care to someone else. Read on to find out some ways to be a caregiver to not only others but yourself too.

Mindful Meditation

This type of mind-body therapy involves focusing awareness on what you’re experiencing in an open, interested and nonjudgmental way. The goal of mindfulness is to create distance in your response to certain situations or feelings, helping you react more thoughtfully and calmly.

Practicing mindfulness can improve your ability to cope with difficult emotions. It is very important to talk to someone you trust about your feelings and concerns, try to not keep emotions bottled in.

Positivity Matters

Have you ever heard of a PMA – Positive Mental Attitude? Having the ability to maintain positive thoughts seems to make everything you do a lot easier and more enjoyable.

Having a positive attitude despite the difficulties you are faced with dearly can help you to enjoy your work more and even instill a positive attitude in those you are giving care too. If you face the day with a can-do attitude, you are much more likely to enjoy the work you do. Whilst this is not always easy, sometimes it just takes a few minutes in the morning to mindfully tell yourself “this is going to be a happy day, I can do this”. Positivity is contageious, so spread it around!

Just Laugh

Everybody loves a good belly laugh. It helps us feel good, laughter serves us more than just a good dose of happiness as it actually has long term benefits that prove to be essential in achieving a healthy mental, physical and spiritual well-being.

Laughter also has its social benefits by helping us connect with other people. Just like smiling and kindness, laughter is contagious which helps spread positivity and brings people closer. Never underestimate the power of laughter. Like exercise and a healthy diet, it is a natural way of making and keeping yourself healthy mentally, physically and spiritually.

Sweet Dreams Are Made of These

If you’re having a problem with getting a good night’s sleep, don’t let your problems get worse over time. The sooner you act to identify the cause of your sleep problems and treat them, the more likely you are to feel well while coping with all your responsibilities as a family caregiver, consider the following:

• Keep a regular sleep schedule, which means going to bed and waking at the same time every day as often as possible.
• Avoid your cell phone and/or computer at least 30 minutes before bed. The light from your electronic devices can confuse your body about when it’s time to go to sleep.
• Keep your bedroom quiet and cool, and if you share a bed with a partner who snores, consider earplugs or a white noise machine.
• Create a calming bedtime routine to help your body unwind at night. Reading, taking a warm bath or meditating before bed is helpful routines for many people.

Small, easy-to-make changes in your bedroom and your bedtime routine can go a long way toward a better night’s sleep.

Make Time for Yourself

You may feel that your needs aren’t important right now. Or that you’ve spent so much time caring for your loved one, sometimes it feels that there’s no time left for yourself.

Caring for your own needs and desires is important to give you strength to carry on, listen to your mind and body and give it what it needs. You are the most important person in your life, treat yourself accordingly. If not, there is no way you will ever be able to give the best care possible to your loved ones who need it too.