I have been a caregiver since 2017, and what I’ve noticed is that a lot of the time caregivers don’t really take the best care of themselves. We’re so busy being caregivers, and filling other obligations in our lives, that it’s easy to put ourselves last — and when we do, we’re setting ourselves up for burnout.
I learned from personal experience how important it is for caregivers to have self-care practices that are sustainable and that actually work. What’s interesting is that even though a lot of the methodologies I practice and share are for caregivers — they work for anyone who is looking to reduce burnout, improve their overall health, and lessen stress and anxiety. That said, these practices can be shared with the people you are a caregiver for, helping them, too.
It’s important to note that the practices I share are customizable. Everything you’ll find in this blog, or in my videos, are suggestions you can take in whatever direction that works for you. The important thing is to make the time to take care of yourself in an effort to improve your mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health.
With self-care comes a lot of positives in our lives, and it also allows us to be better caregivers. Guilt will try to tell you that self-care is selfish. The truth is that it’s a necessary component to a well-lived life — and in being a competent caregiver.
Before you move on with your day, try the following quick practice (as long as you’re comfortable with it), which you can repeat anytime, anywhere … take a slow, deep breath in, and then exhale slowly. Experience this breath mindfully, and be aware of what your body feels like before, during and after the breath.