Nurture Yourself While Nurturing Others

Caregiver in Wilmette IL

If you let it, being a family caregiver can cause you to stop taking care of yourself and nurturing yourself the way that you should. Continuing to give and give without recharging leaves you unable to care for others in the way that you want. To avoid that, look for solid ways to keep yourself healthy and prepared for anything that comes your way.

Get Out in Nature

Nature and fresh air are great ways to recharge and to reconnect with things that are bigger than yourself.  It’s okay if all you have time to do is spend time in the garden.   Let yourself just relax for the time that you have and be sure to notice all the details around you.

Get Your Sleep

Sleep is one of the most important things that you can do for your own health. When you’re asleep, that’s when your body is able to rejuvenate and repair all the damage that you do to it during the day. Recent studies have even linked lack of sleep with weight gain, so even if you’re doing everything else right, lack of sleep can be sabotaging your good efforts.

Laugh Often

That old cliché about laughter being the best medicine keeps sticking around because it’s true. Find time to laugh every day, whether that means sharing time with friends who make you laugh or just watching funny movies. Include your elderly loved one in the fun when you’re able since it can help her, too.

Take Some Quiet Time

Taking the time to just be quiet with yourself during the day will give your brain time to calm itself. You can use that time to read, to meditate, or even to pray. Whatever helps to give you peace is good to work into your regular daily schedule. You don’t need to set aside hours every day, either. Just spending 15 to 20 minutes in quiet reflection can give you a real boost during your day.

Let Others Help

Part of being there for your elderly loved one means knowing when to accept help. Home care providers can make life so much easier for both you and for your elderly loved one. Even just taking up family members on their offers for extra help can give you the boost that you need.

Take time to nurture yourself so that you can keep nurturing others in your life.

If you or an aging loved one are considering caregiver services in Wilmette, IL, contact the caring staff at Companion Services of America today at (847) 943-3786. Our home care service area includes Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Des Plaines, Skokie, Lake Forest, Wilmette and the surrounding areas.

Source
https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/excessive-sleepiness-10/lack-of-sleep-weight-gain

Jamie Shapiro