5 Self Care Tips (and 1 Pro Secret) for Caregivers

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a good time to pause and remember that while you are a caregiver for a family member or a close friend, you are also the full-time caregiver for yourself. From mental health to physical wellness, prioritizing and investing in self-care not only makes you a better caregiver, but also maintains your personal wellbeing and health.

Although self care may often seem like an extra step on your already lengthy to do list, your mind and body will thank you for it. And self care doesn’t have to be a demanding task. This self care blog details a few simple tips and resources to get you started on your self care and wellness journey.

Practicing Mindfulness for Caregivers

An important part of self care is managing the anxiety and stressors impacting your life. Although stressors are often out of your control, you can control how you react to them. Staying aware of what’s happening and acknowledging how it makes you think and feel – while not letting it overwhelm you – is mindfulness at its core.

Here are Five Common Techniques to Practice Mindfulness:

1. Mind your breathing. Taking slow, deep breaths can help clear your mind, allowing you to focus on the present moment. To calm your thoughts and center yourself, try breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth. The goal is to clear your mind.

2. Practice visualization. An often helpful method to maintain mindfulness is visualization. To do this, find a quiet spot where you can be alone for a few minutes. Once settled in, imagine yourself in a place or situation that makes you feel happy. Focusing on these calming sights, while imagining the sounds and smells you experience can ease your stress and prevent you from becoming overwhelmed.

3. Get active. If stressors are making you feel restless and anxious, sitting still or doing breathing exercises are not the only approach you can take to achieve mindfulness. In this case, getting active is a great way to calm your mind and body. Try taking a moment to get your body moving, stretch, or even take a brief walk outside – helping to refocus your energy. Plus, getting active releases endorphins – feel-good hormones that can help lift your mood.

4. Find a creative outlet. Even if you don’t think of yourself as a creative person, experimenting with hobbies like painting, knitting or even woodworking is a great way to care for yourself. When you find an activity you enjoy, you can easily get lost in the creative process, helping you focus on the present and let go of feelings of stress and anxiety.

5. Take breaks. We understand that caregiving often means that you are “on the clock” 24/7/365. To make sure that you also take care of yourself, taking breaks is of the utmost importance. Take a few moments each day for yourself, taking time to eat, hydrate, and practice a few of the other self care tips.

Pro Secret: Caregiver Connections

Another excellent way to take care of yourself is by gaining support from those walking in the same shoes as you. There are so many caregiver communities – both on and offline – offering you a plethora of options to find your niche group and to meet your unique needs for support. To get started, consider these opportunities for connection:

• Caregiver Nation – A private group on Facebook hosted by Careforth, where a community of thousands of caregivers ask and answer questions, offer resources and support one another.
• The Family Caregiver Alliance – A source for online resources and support, aimed to improve the quality of the life for family caregivers.
• AARP Family Caregiving Community – A national online forum for caregivers who offer advice and support to fellow caregivers.
• Creating Your Caregiving Support Team – A Careforth blog article detailing how you can create your own team of resources, so you can better take care of yourself and the person you care for.

Sometimes, you may feel the need for one-on-one help and support instead of a community. If you’re caring for someone with dementia, the Alzheimer’s Association runs a 24-hour helpline. Crisis Text Line is another great organization providing free crisis intervention. You can also discover a variety of support resources offered by the National Alliance for Caregiving.

When it comes to taking care of yourself, you don’t have to do it alone. Careforth provides you with an entire care team and support resources to help you in caring for yourself, so you can feel supported at every turn. Contact us today.