Relax – Refresh – Recharge…The Importance of Self Care

August 2023

Few people plan to become a caregiver for their aging loved ones. This is often a job we are given. As the population ages, more caregiving is being provided by people who aren’t health care professionals. In Oklahoma, approximately 25.7% of adults age 45+ provide or have provided caregiving services to a family member or friend age 65 or over.

Caregiving can be an emotional rollercoaster, but it can also be a loving and rewarding experience. The physical and emotional demands of caring for a loved one can be exhausting to even the most resilient person. Over time, it can lead to burnout if you are not taking care of yourself too. It’s important to maintain your own health and well-being so you can provide the best possible care.

Family caregivers of any age are less likely than non-caregivers to practice preventive healthcare and self-care behavior. Regardless of age, sex, race, and ethnicity, caregivers report problems attending to their own health and well-being while managing caregiving responsibilities.

It’s important to watch for signs of stress such as: impatience, loss of appetite, difficulty with sleep, lack of concentration, and forgetfulness. Be mindful of changes in your mood, a loss of interest in usual activities, or an inability to accomplish usual tasks.

The first task to accomplish proper and needed self-care is to identify what is in the way. Often, attitudes and beliefs that we learned or watched growing up become our own barriers as adults. Maybe you think taking care of others is easier than focusing on yourself. However, as a caregiver you must ask yourself, “What good will I be to the person I care for if I become ill?”

Identify what behavior and/or belief is holding you back from taking care of yourself the way you care for others.

• Do you think you are being selfish if you put your needs first?
• Do you have trouble asking for what you need?
• Do you feel inadequate if you ask for help?

If you identify with any of these obstacles, you are not alone. Breaking old patterns and overcoming obstacles is not an easy thing to do, but it is possible—regardless of your age or situation. Once you know the cause of your stress, you can set goals to help manage stress moving forward.

If possible, take a break from your caregiving responsibilities. Don’t be afraid to ask a friend or family member to step in one day each week to help…even if for a few hours.

Hire professional help with the caregiving tasks that cause you the most stress such as bathing or preparing meals. Even hiring someone to come in the home to clean weekly can be a huge burden off your shoulders. Did you know Entrusted Hearts Home Care by Baptist Village offers ‘help at home’ services?
www.entrustedhearts.org

Be mindful of doing activities for you that make you feel more energized and healthier. It could be as simple as taking an early morning walk before you start your day or end the day with a relaxing walk to decompress. If walking is not something you enjoy, identify stress reducers that work for you and incorporate them into your schedule.

Communicate with others what you need to be a better caregiver. Sometimes the solution is as simple as letting others know what you’re going through. We can’t expect others to know what we need without telling them.

It’s not selfish to focus on your own needs when you are a caregiver—it’s an important part of the job. Just like a vehicle, we can’t run on an empty tank. You must take time to refuel your tank so you can continue to give the best care to those you love.

A few suggestions for taking care of yourself are:

• Eat a well-balanced diet, and drink plenty of water every day.
• Short walks daily or at least a few times a week.
• Listen to guided relaxation recordings or relaxing music.
• Schedule short rest periods between activities.
• Get a good night’s sleep.
• Set limits for what you can do. Be realistic about your daily to-do list. You can only accomplish so much.
• Find a few hours each week for activities that you find meaningful and enjoyable.
• Let family members and friends help with household chores, meal preparation, childcare, and shopping.
• Keep the lines of communication open among your loved one, you, your family and friends, and the health care team.
• Share your feelings with family members or other caregivers.
• Give yourself credit. The care you give does make a difference, and it’s ok to pat yourself on the back.

Only when we first help ourselves can we effectively help others. Caring for yourself is one of the most important—and one of the most often forgotten—things you can do as a caregiver. When your needs are taken care of, the person you care for will benefit, too.

Not a Baptist? Not a problem. You do not have to be Baptist to benefit from our services.