Let’s be honest – being a caregiver is a tough and exhausting job.

In the midst of focusing on your loved one and their needs, caring for yourself may fall to the bottom of your priority list. However, remember that caring for yourself will help you better care for others. As the saying goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup.

Not every act of self-care will always be realistic for you, but caring for yourself shouldn’t feel like one more thing you have to check off your to-do list. Taking the time to care for yourself can be done through small actions that will add up to make a big difference in your life.

SET REALISTIC GOALS FOR YOURSELF 

Do you feel like you have a never-ending to-do list or it’s all just too overwhelming? It’s possible that you’re expecting too much out of yourself each day.

Take a look at your daily to-do list and consider whether it’s realistic or not. Don’t overload it. Prioritize what must be done – like picking up medicine your loved one needs or paying bills – compared to what can wait. Be patient with yourself if you don’t get it all done.

STAY CONNECTED

While your loved one can be at risk of being socially isolated, so can you. Making plans with friends isn’t always realistic with everyone’s busy schedules, so make connecting with friends simple. Have a friend join you when you go for a walk or give someone a call while you cook dinner. If you have a partner, find time to have date nights, even if they do have to be at home. The benefits of social connection include lower anxiety and depression and higher self-esteem.

If it seems like no one in your life understands the toll of being a caregiver, make an effort to get connected to other caregivers.

EAT WELL

Eating nutritious meals doesn’t have to involve a lot of preparation and time. It can be as simple as heating up a bag of frozen vegetables and buying a ready-to-eat protein of your choice. Eating a healthy diet can help your energy levels increase and your mood improve, which will help you care for your loved one.

MOVE YOUR BODY

No time for the gym? No problem. Getting outside and taking walks is great for you and your loved one and at-home workouts are just as effective as working out outside of your home. Any sort of movement is better than none.

FOCUS ON YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

Caregivers tend to be more depressed than the general population and experience high levels of stress and frustration. Caring for yourself – getting enough sleep, staying connected to people, eating well – can all help, but sometimes professional guidance is needed. Therapy can be incredibly helpful.

ASK FOR AND ACCEPT HELP

Asking for and receiving help can give you some relief. If someone offers to help you in some way, accept their help. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your support network of friends and family when you need them either.

GET QUALITY SLEEP

Caring for yourself sometimes means getting back to the basics. As an adult, you should get at least 7 hours of sleep a night. Allow yourself time to rest and try to get high-quality sleep. To get the most restful sleep, shut off electronic devices before bed, avoid caffeine late in the day, make sure your room is dark and try to get on a sleep schedule of going to bed and waking up at the same time consistently.

DO SOMETHING FOR YOU 

Your job of taking care of someone else and their needs is difficult. It may even feel like you’re losing yourself, so practicing self-care is crucial to your well-being. What do you enjoy doing?

Carve out some time to do whatever personally fills you up. This could be something like reading, going on a walk, cooking or baking, gardening, taking a yoga class, knitting, painting your nails or attending a bible study or other social group. Make sure you’re doing something purely for your own enjoyment.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WHAT MILTON VILLAGE OFFERS

Having the support of an adult day center like Milton Village can make a huge difference in your life. Not only does Milton Village give your loved one the chance to socialize and safely do activities they enjoy, but it also gives you a much-deserved break.

To learn more about Milton Village and how it can benefit you and your loved one, please contact us by calling 574-232-2666.