The Importance of Prioritizing Caregiver Emotional Health
Focusing on caregiver emotional health is key to building resiliency and sustaining yourself through challenges.
You’ve just settled Mom into bed after a challenging day. You are drained—physically and emotionally—and there is still a list of tasks waiting for your attention. Maybe it was the struggle with getting her to take her medication today, or the call from a relative who offered well-meaning but unrealistic advice that caused that extra amount of stress. Caring for a senior can be one of the hardest jobs you will face in your lifetime. Building resilience is crucial for a caregiver’s emotional health, and it’s the foundation that will help you move forward when the days are tough.
So how exactly can you build emotional resilience? There are some simple but effective things you can do today.
- Build a flexible mindset. When you’re caring for a senior loved one, plans often change. Maybe today was meant to be an outing to the park, but now it’s a day of dealing with a flare-up of health issues. Emotional resilience is not about resisting these changes; it’s about flowing with them. Rather than focusing on what you couldn’t do, think of what’s possible now. Instead of that outing, perhaps it becomes a cozy afternoon watching their favorite movie. Adjusting your expectations helps reduce feelings of frustration and disappointment, which ultimately builds a stronger, more resilient mindset.
- Embrace the things you can control, and release what you can’t. It’s easy to feel like every setback is a reflection on your abilities as a caregiver. Did Mom refuse to eat again today? Did she get irritated during her physical therapy session? These moments can feel deeply personal. But building emotional resilience begins with recognizing that you cannot control everything. As opposed to concentrating on what went wrong, make an effort to concentrate on what you can affect. For example, you can’t control whether Mom decides to eat every meal, but you can control offering nutritious and appetizing options. When you let go of the pressure to fix everything, you give yourself space to concentrate on what you could improve.
- Practice self-compassion and self-care without guilt. Caregiving is oftentimes linked to selflessness, but the truth is you can’t pour from an empty cup. Practicing self-care doesn’t have to mean taking a two-week vacation (although that would be nice!) Sometimes it means granting yourself ten minutes to read a chapter of a book, watch your favorite show, or take a short walk around the block. Self-compassion is equally as important. When things don’t go as planned, like a doctor’s appointment that turns into a meltdown, it’s easy to blame yourself. Instead, try treating yourself with the same kindness you would show a friend in your situation. Remind yourself that you are doing the best you can, and that is enough.
- Lean on your support network. No one can do it alone, and the truth is, you don’t have to. Building emotional resilience means knowing when to ask for help. Whether it’s reaching out to a good friend, joining an online support group, or partnering with CareWorks Health Services, sharing your burden lightens it. If a neighbor offers to bring over dinner, say yes. If a family membero ffers to sit with Mom for an hour, let them. It’s not an indication of weakness to accept help; in fact, it’s an indication of strength, as it shows you are committed to sustaining yourself for the long run.
- Celebrate the little victories. You will have days when everything feels complicated. It’s easy to focus on the items that didn’t go right, but emotional resilience is created by shifting that focus to the wins, regardless of how small they might seem. Did Mom finally smile after days of feeling withdrawn? Did you find a way to carve out five minutes for a cup of tea while she took a nap? These moments are significant. Emotional resilience grows whenever you acknowledge these small victories, as it reminds you that your efforts are making a positive change, even when the road is bumpy.
Let Us Help You Prioritize Caregiver Emotional Health!
Caregiving is not a role you need to fill all alone! Our trained, experienced care professionals are here to partner with you to ensure the best quality of life for the person you love, and the opportunity for you to discover a healthy life balance for yourself. Serving Huntington Beach, Seal Beach, Newport Beach, and throughout Orange County, we’re just a phone call away at (949) 859-4700. You can also reach out to us online.