- You feel sad or depressed.
- You don’t feel well physically. Common complaints include body aches, headaches or other physical ailments.
- You find yourself frequently turning to alcohol or drugs, including prescription medications.
- You’ve experienced significant weight gain or loss recently.
Self-Care for Caregivers
When you are focused on someone else’s needs (which are probably very substantial), it may seem selfish or even impossible to make your own health a priority. However, if you wish to continue to provide quality care for your loved one, you need to take some time to give yourself some TLC.
The following self-care will help you stay strong and healthy while caring for your loved one.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for or accept help. There may be someone else in your family, a family friend or even a professional service who can offer you some relief from your caregiving duties. Help could come in the form of someone sitting with your loved one a couple of nights per week so you can relax, visit friends or go do something you enjoy. It could include someone doing some grocery shopping for you or running errands. There are many ways that others can help, and you should never be afraid to reach out when you feel overwhelmed.
- Go to the doctor. Don’t neglect your personal medical care. Make sure you schedule and keep appointments for routine tests, physical exams and for follow-up on any health concerns you may have.
- Keep up with your own health goals. If you have an exercise routine or running program that you followed in the past, you should continue to keep up with it while you are acting as a caregiver. Do not abandon nutritional needs or neglect your need for fresh air. Neglecting your health goals will not make you a better caregiver and will only compromise your own good health.