Caregivers: Taking Care of Self is Job Number One
Posted on
Apr 10, 2018
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As Caregivers we are often put into a position where we have to choose between what is good for ourselves, and what is good for our loved one or care partner.
Placing someone else needs in front of our own might be difficult for some people to understand, but not for the caregiver!
To be a healthy caregiver we have to learn how to live our life in the solutions of our caregiving experience, not the problems caregiving can create in our lives. By living a life focused on solutions, we live life with clarity, hope and love. Focusing solely on the problems of caregiving we live in fear, worry and despair.
Heres The Deal: Taking care of self is rule number one while in the midst of caregiving. Whether the words are spoken or not, youre loved one understands the stress you are under and wants you to take care of yourself. When you get to the point where you are at least half as good at taking care of yourself as you are at taking care of your loved one, you be on the right track. But first and foremost you have to start by making a plan! Start by:
Create A Care Team: While are super heros, our caregiving capes are limited. Reach out to family members and friends who can play a role on the care team. Everyone brings different talents to the team, utilize them! Asking for help is a sign of strength, not a sign of weakness!
Set a Daily Intention for Yourself: Caregiving can be time consuming, especially if youre balancing your career and raising children at the same time. Schedule something for yourself, every day, even if it is just five minutes of me time in a room alone.
Have A Back-Up Plan: What if you get sick? See Create a Care Team Above.
As Caregivers, we then to think that we are indestructible, but we are susceptible to illness too. Stress and fatigue will play havoc on all parts of your body, mind and spirit.
I believe that there is no greater honor than to be entrusted with the care of another human being. I make no bones about it, caregiving is hard, but in the end, the good days will always outweigh the bad ones.
Editors Note: Christopher MacLellan is the host of Healing Ties Podcast and the Author of Whats The Deal with Caregiving and a former family caregiver.
Placing someone else needs in front of our own might be difficult for some people to understand, but not for the caregiver!
To be a healthy caregiver we have to learn how to live our life in the solutions of our caregiving experience, not the problems caregiving can create in our lives. By living a life focused on solutions, we live life with clarity, hope and love. Focusing solely on the problems of caregiving we live in fear, worry and despair.
Heres The Deal: Taking care of self is rule number one while in the midst of caregiving. Whether the words are spoken or not, youre loved one understands the stress you are under and wants you to take care of yourself. When you get to the point where you are at least half as good at taking care of yourself as you are at taking care of your loved one, you be on the right track. But first and foremost you have to start by making a plan! Start by:
Create A Care Team: While are super heros, our caregiving capes are limited. Reach out to family members and friends who can play a role on the care team. Everyone brings different talents to the team, utilize them! Asking for help is a sign of strength, not a sign of weakness!
Set a Daily Intention for Yourself: Caregiving can be time consuming, especially if youre balancing your career and raising children at the same time. Schedule something for yourself, every day, even if it is just five minutes of me time in a room alone.
Have A Back-Up Plan: What if you get sick? See Create a Care Team Above.
As Caregivers, we then to think that we are indestructible, but we are susceptible to illness too. Stress and fatigue will play havoc on all parts of your body, mind and spirit.
I believe that there is no greater honor than to be entrusted with the care of another human being. I make no bones about it, caregiving is hard, but in the end, the good days will always outweigh the bad ones.
Editors Note: Christopher MacLellan is the host of Healing Ties Podcast and the Author of Whats The Deal with Caregiving and a former family caregiver.