Self-Care and Caregiving (My self-care favourites)
This article on self care and avoiding caregiver burnout was last updated November 2022.
When it comes to caregiving, it can often feel as though a caregiver is mostly tending to another person’s needs and desires while his/her own self can be left aside. But after a while, we face the danger of caregiver burnout.
If we don’t tend to our own needs and if we don’t tend to ourselves, our ability to help others is significantly impacted. We can end up feeling burnt out, emotionally heightened, exhausted, and in some cases, this can lead to more significant health and mental health impacts.
Avoid Caregiver Burnout by Refilling Your Tank
Whenever I am working with a client, one of the first topics I always explore is self-care, as it is paramount to the caregiving process. After all, it is so important that the caregiver care for his/herself and ‘refill his/her tank’ regularly. We want to find the tools and strategies that will work for you before you head on the path to caregiver burnout.
There are several items of self-care that I find have benefited both myself and my clients and that I want to share with you as they have been so important in my life as both a clinician and a caregiver.
Here are my favourite caregiving items/products:
1) Mindfulness.
Most of us have heard of it. Some of us have tried it. I personally have benefitted significantly from mindfulness as have many of my clients. Mindfulness is an incredible way to connect to ourselves and our bodies and take that much needed pause in the midst of a chaotic life.
There are many ways to practice mindfulness in our world today- mindfulness videos on YouTube, mindfulness publications and mindfulness apps. I personally use a mindfulness app that helps me feel present and grounded which I have thoroughly enjoyed called the Calm app. I really like this app as you are given the option to choose from many sound effects and meditation choices and lengths.
2) Water.
Yes, water. We don’t realize how truly important water is for our body and mind until we haven’t had enough. Staying hydrated is so important and something that is so easy to forget in a rapidly moving world and during a very stressful day of caregiving. I carry my water bottle with me everywhere I go and have gone through many of them throughout the years. The water bottle I love right now is called Hydro Flask. I have a larger sized bottle and it keeps my water cold and tasting fresh. There is no metallic taste associated with it and the bottle itself has lasted me a long long time. Plus, there are great colours to choose from for personalization. I have the light blue bottle. And I love the cap because I can just carry it in my hand as I travel.
3) Books.
Books have been such an important part of healing for me and a way for me to learn and explore ideas outside of myself. I have found two books, in particular, to be very helpful to me during difficult periods in my life.
Broken Open by Elizabeth Lesser PURCHASE >
-Option B by Sheryl Sandberg PURCHASE >
These two books look at hardship and adversity and how to take difficult moments in life as a way to grow.
4) Bubble bath.
To me, there is nothing like sitting in a warm bath full of bubbles. I just feel so at peace in a bath and it allows me a separate space to just think and be present. The scent of calming bubbles and the feel of bubbles on my skin contribute to a very relaxing experience.
I particularly like the Laline bubbles. The scents are very unique and calming and I like the pump design which is easy to use. My favourite scent is the vanilla patchoulli.
Do you have particular products you rely on for self care? WHAT HELPS YOU AVOID CAREGIVER BURNOUT? Specific routines or habits that help you cope with the day-to-day of caregiving? Please feel free to share in the comments below or on our social media. We can all benefit and learn from the self-care routines of others!
Please note: All opinions are my own. I am not sponsored or endorsed by any of the above products.