Practising Self-Care

 

The World Health Organisation defines self-care as caring for one’s physical, mental and social health. When it comes to self-care, many caregivers often have prior misconceptions. Some feel that self-care is a luxury that they just simply don’t have time for. Understandably, incorporating self-care into your daily routine can seem daunting or even impossible when you are so busy.  Others might think that practising self-care is selfish and feel that all extra time and energy should be devoted to their loved ones, instead of themselves. However, self-care is very important and beneficial, not just for you but for the people under your care. After all, you can’t pour out of an empty cup. Giving without receiving is not sustainable, you are bound to run out of energy and burn out. Taking some time to care for yourself will allow you to care for your loved one better.

Here are some ways to care for yourself when you have barely any time to spare:

Being a caregiver would mean juggling the different responsibilities of life. These might take up most of the time you have in a day.   But just taking a minute to relax and breathe can do wonders for your mind and lower your stress levels. Try it out for yourself here.

Having to look after your loved one would also mean that you would rarely have alone time. The good news is, taking care of yourself is not exclusive to taking care of your loved one; You can do both at the same time. For example, if your loved one enjoys watching shows to relax, you can watch a show together to relax while spending time with one another. If your loved one enjoys art, maybe consider going for art lessons together. Not only does this allow you to take a break, but you’ll be able to spend quality time with the one you love too.

You don’t have to go through the journey alone. It is ok to ask your family to help look after your loved one once in a while, so that you have time to do what you enjoy. Everyone needs some time off, and that doesn’t mean you care for your loved one any less. In fact, you will come back feeling energised, ready to best care for them.

Incorporating self-care into your everyday routine isn’t easy, and it can be forgotten amidst your hectic schedule. However, the busier we are, the more we need to care for ourselves. Rest, so you can love at your best!   

For more on self-care, check out the articles below:​