As my mother’s caregiver, I noticed a slide in the way I was caring for myself. Everything seems urgent when your loved one isn’t well and needs lots of care. I woke up one day and realized I couldn’t remember the last time I did yoga or took time off. I didn’t feel like I was present and my mind was racing.
I’ve been repeating the following to myself as a reminder on this long journey: I take care of my loved one and myself.
I’ve experienced horrible digestive issues related to stress before, but this is different. I’m so depleted that I don’t have energy. I feel sleepy and have lost my appetite.
Now that I’m at rock bottom, my health has become the priority. I’m making time to listen to podcasts and slowing down because I was rushing around so much before.
I realize that I’m all my family member has, so it’s a reminder that I have to be as healthy as possible.
I recommend:
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- Go to bed earlier and get plenty of rest. It may take time for your body to adjust, but plenty of time spent not doing anything is good for you. You can’t function if you are not getting enough sleep.
- Revamp your schedule. Reduce anything that isn’t essential. Learn to say no. Look into respite care. You may have to lower your standards around housekeeping, entertaining, etc.
- Focus on a high quality diet. Relying on alcohol and processed foods will lead to health problems later on. Focus on foods that will build you up. Try to eat in the calmest setting possible without multi-tasking since you are already in a high stress situation.
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Our society doesn’t support caregivers the way it should, and our numbers are only increasing due to our long lifespans. I’ve heard people tell me they have lost jobs over this issue, including grieving and not being fully focused on their work. The system is truly broken, so figuring out how to take care of yourself is paramount.
