If you help a loved one with an injury, disability, long-term health condition, or aging issues, you’re not alone. Approximately 53 million people in the U.S. look after at least one loved one, while one in four Canadians give up their time to look after others.
Caring for someone else can be one of the most rewarding things you do in life. It can also be one of the hardest. With so much of your day looking after someone else, your own health and well-being can take a backseat.
But when you feel better, you’re in a better position to help those you love. Here are some things that can help you prioritize yourself without compromising your loved one’s health.
1. Eat a Balanced Diet
When you’re busy looking after someone else, it can feel like you don’t have the time to make a proper lunch or dinner. So, you wind up grabbing an apple or shoving a piece of bread in your mouth in between tasks.
While these small snacks are better than nothing, they won’t give you the fuel you need to go about your day. A well-balanced diet with grains and vegetables will give you enough energy to look after your loved one.
If you find it hard to carve out time in your day to make something, try prepping all your meals for the week. That way, you only have to pull out a prepared plate and heat it up.
2. Get Out and Moving
It may seem counterintuitive to move more when you’re tired but getting your recommended workout can actually energize you. Regular physical activity does wonders for your stamina, not to mention how it can help you reduce stress, boost your immune system, and fight off heart disease.
According to the City of Toronto, you should aim for 30 minutes of cardio exercise at least three times a week. But you don’t have to enroll in an aerobics class to stay fit. Walking every day is an easy, free, and heart-healthy way to keep in shape.
Whatever you do, regular physical activity helps you burn off anxiety and other negative emotions that often come with caregiving.
3. Get Someone to Help
Some caregivers only need to checkin on their loved ones or help them with certain tasks, while others provide 24/7 live-in care for those with living with dementia and other chronic diseases.
While this isn’t a competition, it does make it harder for live-in caregivers to find time to focus on themselves. You may even feel guilty stepping away.
If you’re struggling to do everything on your own, consider reaching out to a reputable at-home healthcare agency for help. At-home health care providing dementia care in Toronto can send a health care professional to your home to look after your loved one, in any capacity you need, for however long you need.
The best dementia care Toronto has to offer includes a long list of professionals, including Personal Support Workers (PSWs), Registered Nurses (RNs), Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs), massage therapists, and physiotherapists. Whether you need someone for an afternoon or live-in care, you can trust these professionals to look after your loved one like they are family.
Bottom Line:
Caregiving takes a lot of work, time, and mental energy. If you expect to keep up with it all, you have to prioritize your health. Do this by eating well, staying active, and getting help when you need it.
