7 Self-Care Ideas for Overworked Family Members Taking Care Of Aging Parents
You probably have a heart of gold, but it can be extremely draining to care for your elderly loved ones. You are an excellent family member for being there. That said, it's paramount to ensure that you have some semblance of balance in your life and make sure you are as healthy as possible.
1. Don't Be Afraid to Delegate
Do not be afraid to delegate to family members. If they are all busy, you may also want to consider hiring in-home care so that your senior parents are not alone and you can have time for other areas of your life.
2. Make Time for Yourself at Least Once per Week
You are allowed to make time for yourself so that you can feel rejuvenated at least once a week. Perhaps you want to take a nature walk or go to dinner with your friend, spouse, or child. On the other hand, you might just want to sleep all day long because you're so exhausted from caretaking. Whatever the case may be, you deserve to dedicate at least a few hours a day to self-care.
3. Take Breaks
Sometimes spending long hours with loved ones can be exhausting. You are not alone in this. If there is a time when you feel like you don't know what to say or you start experiencing a lot of anxiety, you're allowed to take a short break. This could be as simple as heading to the restroom and splashing cold water on your face or going on a nature walk.
4. Exercise
Exercising helps you boost endorphins and generally elevates your mood while increasing your energy levels. Working out for at least 30 minutes three times per week is ideal. Aerobic activity and strength training can help you feel your best physically and emotionally.
5. Make Sure You Get Enough Sleep
The recommendation from the National Sleep Foundation is to get at least 7-9 hours of sleep per night. If that is feasible, this will likely assist you in healing from any stress, burnout, exhaustion, and even sadness you might be feeling. At the very least, being well-rested will likely increase your tolerance, which could be beneficial when caring for your senior parent since this process is often so draining.
6. Journal
You might have a lot to get off of your chest, but it can be difficult to share this with your elderly loved one or your family member. In some cases, you may not actually want to say these things out loud. Journaling lets you vent to a page anonymously, so no one has to know what you're thinking or feeling except yourself. This process can be extremely cathartic.
7. Consider Going to Therapy
Going to therapy can be quite beneficial when it comes to processing everything you are carrying during this time if you find a counselor you feel comfortable with.
Senior Helpers
Our Senior Helpers offices based in Texas provide companion care, personal care, and in-home care. We are located in Houston, Humble, and Magnolia. Please contact us today for more information! We are happy to assist you in every way we can.