Have you found yourself in the position where you are caring for your ageing parents? Do you have someone else in your life you are providing extra care to? Bless you if you are. I believe it is one of the most important things we can do in life. I also believe it is very difficult on you, the care giver. Often it becomes all-consuming and takes on a life of its own leaving you with little time and energy for anything else. Here are some ideas that will help you get a little balance back in your life.
The number one cardinal rule to keep in your mind is this: If you are not personally healthy and well-cared for you will have nothing to give those whom you take care of or anyone else for that matter. Whatever you do don’t let yourself get in a state of burnout. You will be not good to anyone then, not even yourself.
Here we go, here is a list of some things you can do to take extremely good card of yourself:
- Get plenty of sleep. You will need the energy to be a caring provider.
- Eat proper, well-balance meals. They too give you energy and help you stay healthy.
- Exercise even if that is in the form of walking up and down the stairs. You need to keep your body strong.
- Have something you can do for yourself that you enjoy such as a hobby or reading. Try to do it for at least ten minutes per day. It doesn’t have to be long but at least it can get your mind off other things for a few minutes.
- Do special, small indulgent things you enjoy like soaking in a hot tub surrounded by candles. Fill your tub with the fragrance of essential oils for relaxation and rejuvination.
- Get out in the fresh air even if that only means a quick walk around the block.
- Write in a gratitude journal. Cultivate an attitude of gratefulness and you will find your whole outlook on things will change for the positive.
- Create a strong support system for yourself. Do not use it for complaining but use it as s source of strength and extra energy. Make sure the people in it are upbeat so you can feed off their energy.
- Take mini-vacations in your head. Use your imagination to go to places you really love. Imagine all the relaxing and fun things about it and bring that sense back into your real world.
- Smile and laugh alot. It will relieve much of your stress, anxiety and tension. in home care toronto