Taking care of a stroke survivor requires a great deal of physical and emotional energy. It’s important to take care of yourself so that you can continue to take care of your loved one. Just like the flight attendant tells you on the plane, you have to put on your own “oxygen mask” first before you can help others.
It’s also important to understand that self-care doesn’t have to look like finding an entire afternoon to spend at the spa. It can be as simple as making sure that you take time to exercise and prepare healthy meals for yourself.
Signs of Burnout
The most important aspect of self-care is recognizing when you need it. Ideally, you’ll engage in self-care practices on a daily basis, but they’re especially important when you are starting to burn out. Be on the lookout for signs that you might be feeling drained by your caregiving responsibilities, like:
- Irritability
- Impatience
- Sadness or depression
- Apathy
If you start to notice any of these warning signs in yourself, it’s definitely time to implement your self-care plan.
Strategies for Self-care
Self-care techniques will look different for different people. These are just a few suggestions:
- Take care of your body: Eat well and exercise as time permits. Choose a few quick and easy healthy meals that you can make in rotation, and fit in 10-minute bursts of exercises if time is short.
- Seek out support. For some caregivers, that might look like joining a group specifically designed for caregivers. For others, it might look like having a few go-to friends who you can vent to if you’re having a bad day or talking to a professional therapist on a regular basis.
- Practice self-compassion. You are human, and you will make mistakes in this process. Don’t beat yourself up about them. Identify the lesson that you can take away and move on.
- Be as well-informed about your loved one’s condition as possible. – Don’t hesitate to ask any questions or advocate for your loved one’s (or your own) needs.
- Journaling – can help you process your own emotions about the experience and better manage stress.
- Consider respite care. Enlisting another friend or family member or hiring a professional caregiver to provide care for the stroke survivor can give you an opportunity to take some time off – whether that’s an afternoon or a week or more – to recharge as needed.
Make sure that you know what you need to take care of yourself so that you can take care of your loved one. Remember, self-care isn’t selfish. It’s a lifeline.