Caregivers, Taking Care of Yourself Matters

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Caregivers, Taking Care of Yourself Matters

Are you often taking care of others? Do you have children who need lots of support? Do your parents or other family members lean on you for help? Are you the person that your friends turn to when they are in crisis? Are you a professional caregiver, such as a nurse or a counselor? Whatever type of caretaking you are doing, it may be time to put the focus on you.

Giving Back Offers Emotional Rewards

Caregiving can be very rewarding. Studies have shown the benefits of giving back. Helping others can help us feel better. Caretaking can give us a sense of purpose and fulfillment. It helps us to feel connected to others, which is one of the great keys to happiness. 

Caregiving & Burning The Candle At Both Ends

Let’s first acknowledge that being a good caregiver is challenging. Taking care of ourselves can already feel hard. Adding another person or group to the mix can be especially difficult. You need skills, but also empathy, patience, flexibility, reliability and good communication. You also need time, energy, and resources to care for others. 

Caregiving can be all-consuming, often leaving little time and energy for self-care. Many caregivers prioritize others’ needs above their own. This can lead to neglecting their physical and mental well-being in the process. The cycle continues and that’s when burnout, resentment and physical issues arise. All of these are harder to bounce back from than you may realize. 

The first step is noticing when these symptoms of burnout are showing up. Are you beginning to feel irritable, drained, or impatient? Are you experiencing physical symptoms or consistent fatigue? As you start checking in with these feelings, it may be a signal to spend more time on self care. 

Self Care For Caregivers Is Not Selfish

Self care is an important component of a healthy and balanced life – for anyone. One could argue that it is even more crucial for caregivers. With great responsibility comes a need for more self care. More tasks, stress, and emotional weight leads to fatigue. Whether you have compassion fatigue or literal fatigue, staying charged is key. It is not selfish to prioritize taking care of oneself – it is necessary. We truly “cannot fill from an empty cup.” There are tools and habits that can be customized to metaphorically fill your own cup and allow for more capacity to care for others. With the right tools and a lot of self-care, caretaking can be sustainable and rewarding. 

Therapy Can Empower Caregiving

If you are caring for a family member, friend, loved one or are a professional caregiver, therapy can help. Therapy offers a safe and confidential space to express yourself. It can also help you gain insight into what’s going on in your world. You can learn coping strategies to manage difficult moments. Therapy can give you the opportunity to focus on your own needs and well-being.

Keep in mind that therapists are also trained caregivers. They are trained professionals who can relate to your situation. They can help you work through your feelings, thoughts and behaviors. You can explore stress, anxiety, guilt and other common emotions experienced by caregivers. You can also learn healthier coping mechanisms. You can learn how to set boundaries and other stress management strategies.

7 Benefits of Therapy for Caregivers

Build Resilience with Therapy

You don’t have to be falling apart physically and emotionally to seek therapy. Therapy is not reserved for those experiencing severe mental health issues. It can be a valuable tool for anyone facing life’s challenges, including caregivers.

Caregiving can be incredibly rewarding and fulfilling. However, it can also be very demanding and challenging, both emotionally and physically. In the midst of caring for others, it’s crucial not to overlook the importance of caring for yourself. The airlines would agree. Putting on your oxygen mask first will ensure that you can help your loved one.

If you or someone you know is seeking a therapist, we invite you to reach out to our client care team at (615) 582-2882 or clientcare@nashvillepsych.com. We are here to help. If we aren’t a fit, we will kindly refer you to another resource in our community or beyond.