Evolve to Live founded National Self-Care Awareness Month to embrace the importance of self-care. The organization promotes the benefits of self-care when it comes to emotional and physical health benefits.
Join others in September by embracing yourself and your needs for happiness by focusing on taking care of yourself. When you’re a family caregiver, it’s easy to spend a lot of time helping others and ignoring your own needs. September is a great time to explore the different ways to practice personal self-care.
What is Self-Care?
Self-care is all about advocating for your own needs and following through. You’ve been caring for your mom every day for the past year.rs without a break. No one should have to work that long non-stop.
It’s time to advocate for the break you desperately need. You talk to family members or friends and see who can spend time with your parents while you take a few days off. Go on a short trip, stay home and arrange quiet days with no pressing plans, or take a few hours to go for a walk in the woods.
You have to learn to say no. You take care of your dad’s house, doing his laundry, vacuuming, dusting, and organization. Your sister asks you to pick up your niece from school since you don’t have a 9 to 5 job. If it is an inconvenience, you need to tell her you don’t have the time unless she does something on your list.
Learn to judge your mood. If you’re anxious, you need to stop and examine the stressors that are impacting your day. Yoga can help you with relaxation and meditation. Exercises like kickboxing are also good at allowing you to vent frustration.
Finally, be sure you are nourishing yourself. While takeout Chinese and pizza may be easy and fast, it’s also high in fat, sugar, and sodium if you don’t carefully choose healthier dishes. Meal prep at home to save money and have more nutritious options.
How Do You Take Breaks as a Family Caregiver?
How do you take breaks when you’re the primary family caregiver? Talk to a home care agency if you cannot get close friends or family members to stay with your parents while you take a few hours or days off.
Respite care is an essential service offered by a local home care agency. While you’re away, caregivers spend time with your parents, doing what you usually do to help them. Make arrangements by calling a specialist to discuss your parents’ needs.