Glossing over the phrase “self-care” is pretty easy to do. It sounds like something that you have to set aside a lot of time to do properly and that is likely something you don’t have as a caregiver. What you need to do is to reframe what self-care actually is so that you can see it as a tool that you can use.
It’s More than Bubble Baths and Face Masks
When most people talk about self-care, it tends to be discussed in somewhat of a frivolous fashion. But true self-care is far from frivolous. It’s way more than simply throwing some bubble bath in a tub or getting weekly manicures. True self-care gets to the nitty-gritty of what you need in order to function. This might mean making sure that you’re exercising, getting enough sleep, and eating what you should be eating.
What Do You Need?
Stop and seriously ask yourself what you need right now. You might need more sleep or some time alone. No matter what answer you find when you ask yourself what you need, take heed. Your answers could range from a glass of water to a weekend away from being a caregiver. When you start to trust that you’re going to give yourself what you need, you’ll find that it’s easier to see exactly what those needs are.
Look at How You Feel When You’re Run Down
If you need more incentive to pay attention to your own self-care, take a look at what happens to you when you’re run down. Most people start to make bad decisions or experience downturns in their health when they let themselves get run down. What kind of caregiver are you when you’re not at your best?
Make Self-care a Priority
Lots of times self-care gets shoved way down the list of things that need to get done and that means that self-care doesn’t happen. When you turn that around, though, and make self-care a priority, you’re going to be in a better place to be able to meet the needs of the people around you. Give it a try and you’ll see a difference.
Everyone’s definitions and needs in terms of self-care are slightly different and that’s okay. What’s going to help you the most is to figure out what your own definition of self-care is at this stage in your caregiving journey. Then provide that to yourself sooner rather than later.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Home Care in Pacifica, CA, call the caring staff at Aviva In-Home Care. Call today: (415) 795-2203
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