Please read my disclosure policy to understand how I work with companies and individuals. Linking to a specific site does not imply endorsement of all of their services or content.
There may come a time when someone that you care for is diagnosed with a mental health condition and they’ll probably look to you for help and support. While it is incredibly important to be able to be there for them as they come to understand their condition, it is also important to take care of yourself.
Caring for others is a selfless and virtuous act. However, a person can only properly care for another if they themselves are cared for. If you neglect your own needs for too long, then your own mental health will begin to be affected.
If you find yourself becoming overwhelmed and need someone to talk to, the staff at MyTherapist is ready and willing to help. They can provide guidance and options to help you out, or simply provide an ear to listen.
Why Is Self-Care So Important?
It can be easy to forget to take care of yourself when you’re worried about a loved one. Your own needs may not seem as important, or you may feel selfish by thinking about yourself. Nothing could be further from the truth.
By making sure that you are taking care of yourself physically by exercising, eating healthy foods, and getting enough sleep at night, you are directly ensuring that your mental health stays healthy as well. When a solid foundation for health is laid it is easier to keep doing things that are good for you without having to think about it too much.
Simply taking care of yourself physically isn’t enough, however. It is also important to make sure that you take the time to do things that you love and that you spend time alone or with friends to your preference.
How Do I Practice Self-Care When Caring for Someone Else?
If you find yourself the primary caretaker of someone with a mental illness, it can be difficult to find the time to care for yourself. In some situations, it may not be feasible to simply leave them alone while you take a break.
For example, if you are the primary caregiver of a child with a mental illness or of an older adult with Alzheimer’s or dementia, then you should ensure that someone is there to care for them in your absence.
There are many services available that offer caregiver services for people in these situations. Alternatively, you can ask a trusted family friend or family member if they would be willing to occasionally step in and help you.
In either situation, it is important that the person you are caring for is comfortable with the person that you are asking to temporarily take your place. Make sure that they meet the person that is caring for them a few times before you take a day off, and make sure that the substitute caregiver knows how to reach you.
While it may take some time to find a person that you can trust to step in as a temporary caretaker, it is an important and necessary step to take so that you don’t become overwhelmed and burnt out. Your mental health matters just as much as anyone else’s.
I’ve Got Time Alone, Now What?
Now it’s time to take care of you! You may be tempted to try to get some neglected chores done around the house or run some errands, but you should avoid doing anything that feels like work. Of course, if you enjoy those things, feel free to do them!
Otherwise, rather than spending your free time on things that may cause you more stress, take the time to unwind and completely relax. Here are some ideas of what you can do to take advantage of the peace and quiet:
- Take a nap
- Read a book or magazine
- Watch a television show
- Go for a walk or run
- Take a class that you have been interested in
- Practice a hobby such as crochet or painting
- Go to lunch with a friend
You can do anything that you enjoy or find interesting during this time. The important thing is that you relax and take the time to de-stress and recuperate, whatever that looks like to you, whether it’s taking a long nap, visiting friends, etc.
By ensuring that you take some time to yourself at least once a week, you can prevent much of the strain being a caregiver can take on your mental health. It is much easier to be patient and to take care of your responsibilities when you are making sure to take care of yourself first.
Is Self-Care Really That Important?
There’s an old saying that goes, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.”. It’s the same advice that airlines give you in case of an emergency, “always put your mask on first before helping anyone else”.
At first glance, that advice may seem selfish, but is it? If you’re the only person who knows how to put on an oxygen mask, and you don’t put yours on first, what happens when you run out of air? By taking care of yourself and making sure that you are at the best that you can be, you can help more people.
By taking care of yourself, you can then take care of others. Your physical and mental well-being are just as important as those that you care for, and it is important to remember that. Be kind to yourself and take the time to make sure that your cup is full.
