This year, care for yourself too
The new year brings a fresh start. For many people, that means setting new goals.
Now is the perfect time to put yourself on the priority list so you can get the self-care you need and deserve.
It’s natural for caregivers to put themselves last, but this subconscious habit is harmful to your health – the consequences of unchecked caregiver stress are serious.
Studies show that it can cause serious chronic illness and higher rates of early death. Ongoing stress also negatively affects mood, relationships, and overall well-being.
We share 4 self-care goals that protect your long-term health and well-being along with suggestions for how to make them happen.
These goals and suggestions are meant to inspire creative thinking to help you find solutions that will give you time to rest and recharge.
As the saying goes, “you can’t pour from an empty cup.”
You might be tired of hearing this, but it’s still true that the more your own needs are met, the better caregiver you can be to your older adult.
Advertisement
4 New Year’s goals for caregivers
1. Get help so you’re not doing everything by yourself
Put together a caregiving team of family, friends, and/or local resources
Ask family or friends to help with your older adult – whether it’s hands-on care, providing companionship, managing finances, doing research, running errands, doing chores, etc.
Hire a geriatric care manager to help solve tough care challenges
Get outside help or lower your standards for time-consuming chores like cleaning or cooking
2. Take time for yourself every day
Take micro breaks throughout the day – it’s an effective way to reduce stress when you’re short on time
Do a 2 minute meditation, breathing exercise, or calming exercise
Improve circulation and reduce stress with an easy 4 minute workout
Escape from reality with a great book, magazine, or audiobook
Connect with friends – through phone calls, video chats, coffee, or a meal
Relax your body and get some fresh air with a casual stroll around the block
Do something (anything!) just for you. Everyone needs regular me time.
Advertisement
3. Schedule regular breaks
Get someone to sit with your older adult while you go out (or take a nap) – ask family, friends, volunteers from local service or religious organizations, or find local programs through your county’s Area Agency on Aging
Hire an in-home caregiver for a few hours each week
Convince family members to take over on a regular basis
Enroll your older adult in an adult day program
Use local respite care programs
4. Stop wishful thinking
In caregiving, it’s important to manage your emotional energy as well as your time.
Wishing or hoping that something will change even though you’ve seen the same outcome time after time is a drain on that energy.
For example, maybe you’ve been thinking for the last two years, “I hope next weekend my sister will finally take over and give me a break.”
Or you might keep wishing “Maybe if I explain enough times, mom (who has dementia) will stop taking things out of drawers and she’ll believe me when I tell her that nobody is trying to poison her.”
It doesn’t feel good to admit that these things won’t change.
But accepting the way things are allows you to use your valuable emotional energy on positive things rather than repeatedly wishing for something and then getting frustrated when it doesn’t happen.
Recommended for you:
By DailyCaring Editorial Team
This article wasn’t sponsored, but contains some affiliate links. If you buy through an affiliate link on our site, we may earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you, and we appreciate your support. We never link to products for the sole purpose of making a commission. Product recommendations are based on our honest opinions. For more information, see How We Make Money.
Comments