Community
While caring for a loved one, prioritizing your own health is important. Setting boundaries can help ensure you provide the best care without compromising your well-being. Here are some practical tips for maintaining a healthy balance and incorporating self-care into your daily routine.
What you can do is different from what you should do
You know the feeling. That sense of obligation when someone asks you to do something. The feeling that you can’t say no, whether you want to or not.
When you receive a request, think less about what you should do and more about what you can do. Stretching yourself too thin can do more harm than good, regardless of whether the task is completed or not. If you determine you can’t do what is being asked of you, consider alternatives or other things you could do to help, even if it is less than what is being demanded.
Helpful tips for setting boundaries
By definition, boundaries are a dividing line. As the lines between your life and the life of the person you’re caring for begin to blur, it is important to prioritize your own time and space. By setting and respecting your boundaries, you can provide better care while also protecting your own health and happiness. Strategies for supporting your well-being as a caregiver include:
- Identify your limits: Reflect on your physical, emotional and mental limits. Understand what you can handle and what might overwhelm you.
- Communicate clearly: Be open and honest about your boundaries with the person you’re caring for and other family members. Let them know what you can and cannot do.
- Prioritize self-care: Schedule regular time for yourself. Engage in activities that recharge you, whether it’s exercise, reading or spending time with friends.
- Create a care plan: Develop a structured routine that outlines caregiving tasks. This helps distribute responsibilities and allows for breaks.
- Learn to say no: It’s okay to decline additional responsibilities or requests that push you beyond your limits. Practice saying no without guilt.
- Seek support: Reach out to family, friends or support groups for help. Sharing responsibilities can ease your burden.
- Set time limits: Designate specific times for caregiving tasks. Once that time is up, step back and focus on your own needs.
- Recognize your emotions: Acknowledge your feelings of frustration, sadness or guilt. It's normal, and addressing these emotions can help you maintain boundaries.
- Use technology: Consider using tools or apps to help manage tasks, schedule reminders or communicate needs more effectively.
- Reflect regularly: Take time to evaluate how you’re feeling about your caregiving role. Adjust your boundaries as needed to ensure they continue to serve you well.
Taking time to recharge your batteries is critical to your own mental and emotional health and can also help your loved one feel like less of a burden to you. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help and find the support you need to take care of yourself. Caregiver support groups can be found through:
Maintain realistic expectations about your loved one
The specifics of your loved one’s personal health will dictate the impact of this, but you need to remember to keep your expectations in check in terms of your loved one’s attitude or behavior.
They may not vocalize their appreciation for your care. They may be prone to bouts of irritability or reclusion, with no interest in whatever activities you may have planned. Your loved one may also have a health condition that causes physical pain or affects their emotions.
To account for this, make sure you are well rested so that you are not irritable from a lack of sleep, as your patience during these difficult situations may wear thin. It is also important to take whatever negative comments they may make to or about you with a grain of salt. This can be challenging, but you can’t take it personally. It’s better to be able to grasp the root cause.
Mom’s Meals® can help
By simplifying mealtime, you can focus on what truly matters: spending quality time with your loved one and nurturing your own well-being. Let us do the cooking for you and your loved one.
We take the guesswork out of getting proper nutrition and make mealtime delicious and hassle free with ready-to-heat-and-eat meals delivered direct to your home. Choose from nine condition-specific menus and 60+ meal options designed by registered dietitians and crafted by professional chefs. Learn more.
