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When it comes to family caregivers, there’s something incredibly important that is often overlooked. It’s something that can make a positive difference – something that can decrease stress levels and increase overall wellbeing across the board. This crucial piece of the family caregiver puzzle is self care.
Along with all of its rewards, caregiving can be a stressful job. The work you do takes both physical and emotional energy, and it’s important that you stay well. Unfortunately, even the best caregivers often put themselves last when it comes to care.
When stress runs high, you must look to activities you can do to support your own wellbeing. At first, self-care can feel like one more addition to an already long list of tasks. That’s why we suggest starting with quick, easy techniques:
Covid is a legitimate stressor. Despite all of your precautions, that nagging fear still comes. You may face it upon returning to your loved one’s home with groceries. “When I go inside, am I bringing the virus with me?”
In these stressful moments, try using our Check Yourself method. Pause, and compose yourself with the knowledge that you’ve followed protocols. Relax so your loved one will feel more relaxed. Then, enter the home as your best self. Give yourself permission to put stressful thoughts on hold, and enjoy making a meaningful connection. The mindset of being fully present with your loved one is good for the both of you. That’s why this is a great self-care strategy for caregivers.
This is the quickest, easiest, cheapest, most available stressbuster ever. All you have to do is breathe. Have you ever noticed how you breathe when you are relaxed? Have you noticed that you breathe differently when you’re stressed out – perhaps you hold your breath altogether. The next time you’re relaxed, pay attention to how your body feels. Maybe it’s when you first wake up, when you’re about to fall asleep or when you’re doing that favorite health-supporting thing that you do. Now, tune in to your body the next time you feel stressed. It’s very different, isn’t it?
The good news is that breathing exercises can help you relax. Deep breathing is one of the best ways to lower stress in the body. When you breathe deeply, it sends a message to your brain to calm down. When your brain gets that message, it can slow down the production of stress hormone Cortisol, and your body can really start to relax. Deep breathing decreases everything from elevated heart rate to high blood pressure.
This is something simple that everyone should know. Try this basic exercise anytime you need to relax or relieve stress:
After you have mastered basic belly breathing, you may want to try a more advanced belly breathing exercise. You can do this either sitting or lying down.
Please keep in mind that caring for yourself is a vital part of being your best self for your loved one. Remember, “Self-care is not selfish. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.” If you need support, please reach out to any ComForCare or At Your Side location.
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