Take Care Of Yourself In Order To Take Care Of Others

Caring for another is a responsibility that we should not take lightly. Taking care of someone is a difficult task and requires a lot of time, dedication, effort and responsibility. When someone else’s well-being depends on you, it’s a tough job that, even if we do it with love, can eventually start to take its toll.

In many cases, caregivers begin to put their own health and personal lives aside so they can control their new responsibilities. They do this without being fully aware of it. Sometimes when it comes to taking care of another, people ignore the most important thing: taking care of themselves.

People who devote some of their time to caring for others should receive appropriate support and pay close attention to their own health. Taking care of yourself and making some time for yourself is fundamental.

Accepting the inevitable

People don’t become dependent overnight, nor do people become caregivers overnight. When someone in the family starts to show problems, there is an adjustment process through which the future caregiver begins to get used to his new role.

The caregiver will generally go through some stages before adjusting to the new situation. In the first stage , it is normal for the person to deny that their family member needs help with daily activities. But there comes a point when the problems become so evident that the new reality cannot be denied.

Once the person has accepted that their loved one needs help, he will start researching: what disease does my loved one have, how will the disease develop, what kind of care does my loved one need etc. At this stage it is quite normal for the caregiver becomes overwhelmed by feelings such as sadness, guilt, anger, and frustration.

Gradually, however, he will begin to assume his new responsibilities and organize his time around the person in need of care. The extent to which caregivers adapt to this new phase in their lives varies from person to person.

Adapting to change

When a person becomes a caregiver, his life as it was begins to change. The new situation can bring about changes within the family, at work, in personal relationships, and in physical and mental health.

The caregiver will probably start to feel guilty, think he’s not doing well, or feel terribly lonely. Caregivers also often isolate themselves from others, which can exacerbate their negative feelings.

However, not all changes are negative. Despite being a difficult experience, fighting for someone can help you discover things about yourself or the other person that you didn’t know and grow as a person.

Being consumed by exhaustion

If you neglect yourself in this process of taking care of the other person, it will show up at some point. It is important to pay close attention to the warning signs so that you can solve the problems as soon as they occur.

Some of the signs that you are pushing yourself to the limit include:

• Constant fatigue or exhaustion.
• Feeling alone or isolated.
• Increased intake of medication or addictive substances.
• Regular mood swings and increased irritability.
• Concentration problems.

• Problems at work.

Take care of yourself to be able to take care of others

It is essential to take care of yourself so that you are strong enough to take care of the other person. Here are some habits that can help you maintain your physical and mental balance:

• Re- organize your time: Determine which tasks deserve priority and organize your activities. Make time to rest, because it is very important that you have some time for yourself.
• Get plenty of rest: Make sure you get enough sleep and do a relaxing activity before bed. During the day, take small moments for yourself to stop and rest.

• Stay healthy: Moderate exercise and a balanced diet will help you feel good about yourself, conserve energy, and release emotional tension.
• Express your feelings: It is important to express how you feel, whether it is good or bad. Positive feelings bring you closer to others and create a pleasant environment. Expressing your negative feelings will prevent the negativity and distress from accumulating.
• Maintain your social relationships: Friends and family are the basic pillars of personal well-being. Ask them for help when you need it, call them to tell them how you feel, and try to avoid feeling isolated and trapped.

After taking care of someone for a long time, some people enter a spiral of exhaustion that is difficult to escape. If the rhythm of your life is overwhelming you, ask for help as soon as possible. Take care of yourself so you can take care of someone else’s life without sacrificing your own.