Are you a caregiver?
| A caregiver can be anyone, it can be your parent, a sibling, a friend or even a child who is wishing well and taking care of someone who is not in their best health. These caregivers often get so busy caring for the people around them that they forget about their own mental health and wellbeing. Given the current Covid-19 pandemic, caregiving has become a full-time job, Self-care has drastically reduced and this is leading to burnout and exhaustion because most of us are giving our energy and time to those we care for and not much to ourselves. What you must remember is that your life, your energy, and your ability to adequately provide care for someone depends on your vehement focus on your own health and well-being. Hence, it is very important to practise self-care, especially during this current crisis. We are all responsible for our own health, so we have listed down a few ways and tips for caregivers to stay upbeat. |
| It is not wrong to accept help or even ask for it when you really need it. You don’t have to overwork yourself and stress out, try to be prepared with a list of ways that others can help you. Analyse your caretaking needs ahead of time and separate them into smaller tasks that can be divided among siblings, friends, neighbours or anyone who is offering help. If you feel really stressed out, then visiting a professional is the best option to overcome the unpleasant emotions. |
| It is okay to stop watching the news if it gets too overwhelming. Do not force yourself. Watching or scrolling through the media makes us even more anxious. An excess of news and visual images about a traumatic event can lead to a lot of unpleasant feelings. Try to limit COVID-19 media exposure to no more than twice a day and try to avoid reading about COVID-19 before bedtime. |
| An important step toward being a conscious caregiver is recognising your current state of being. We have listed down a few questions to help you determine if you’re encroaching on burnout: - Have your sleep patterns changed? - Do you feel increasingly worried or anxious about using your dear one? - Do you feel constantly irritated? - Have you become isolated or less social? - Have you increased unhealthy behaviours, like drinking, smoking or etc? - Are you fatigued most of the day? It is important to check in with yourself and see if you have any signs of burnout to help overcome the issue and live more peacefully. |
| Laughter is good medicine. It is very easy to get bogged down by the harsh realities and experiences of life, so try to find humour in your situation. You could even start watching a silly TV program or seeking out a movie that tickles your funny bone. Find things to laugh about with the loved one in your care because that person needs joy too. Just keep reminding yourself to be grateful and always keep smiling. |
You are more than a caregiver. Caregiving is stressful and leads to burnout quickly. If you do not care for yourself, you will be of no help to anyone else, especially when they depend on you. Take time for yourself. Try to set goals to establish a good sleep routine, find time to be physically active on most days of the week, eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of water. Taking care of yourself doesn’t mean you are selfish, it actually shows that you care and you deserve it. Just remember that the better, stronger, healthier and happier you are, the better those you care for will be.
If you have any further doubts, concerns, queries, or simply want to say hi, drop us a mail at happy@zariyaa.in
Smiles and Happiness,
Team Zariyaa 🙂
