4 Self-Care Tips for Caregivers

Taking care of someone you love has its rewards but also its challenges. In the quest to keep someone comfortable and happy, you may find yourself neglecting your health. With so many things to keep track of, self-care may not be on the top of your list, but it is vital. Below are a few tips for caregivers who may need to put a little more focus on their self-care.

1. Get Adequate Rest

Getting the proper rest for your body to recuperate is difficult for anyone, but even more so for those who are caregivers, where they have a 24-hour job. The proper time to rest helps give you the mental break you need and gives your body time to heal itself. Make sure to get adequate sleep at night and take time to rest as needed.¹

2. Don’t Overdo

Keep your daily to-do list reasonable so that you do not find yourself overloaded or too far behind if you get off track. Start with things that must get done that day, and once completed, consider adding one or two more items. Starting with a smaller list may also help you to be less stressed throughout the day. It is important to remember that you are only one person, and in the role of caregiver, you likely have to deal with things that may come up with little notice, which may throw off your day if there is too much to do.¹

3. Ask for Help

There is no reason to do it all alone. Outsource as much as possible to lighten your load and allow you some free time to do the things you love to do as well. You might try enlisting family members or neighbors to run errands or provide you with some help when you need to step out. Also, consider which type of services you may utilize to lighten your load as well, such as grocery delivery.¹

4. Find Ways to Relieve Stress

Even though you may limit your stress to some degree, there is likely to be some stress in a caregiver’s life. Find ways to deal with this stress and let off steam before you become overwhelmed. Whether taking a bath, meditating, reading, doing yoga, or getting a massage, having some opportunity for stress relief to turn to when you need it may help you keep from being overwhelmed.²

Important Disclosures:

The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however LPL Financial makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy.

This article was prepared by WriterAccess.

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Footnotes:

¹Self-Care for Caregivers, UCSF Health, https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/self-care-for-caregivers

²Taking Care of YOU: Self-Care for Family Caregivers, Family Care Giver Alliance, https://www.caregiver.org/resource/taking-care-you-self-care-family-caregivers/