Caring health centre

Carers: Taking care of yourself

Taking on the responsibilities of caring alongside other home or professional commitments can lead to some  carers feeling overstretched. Take care not to neglect your own health and wellbeing when caring for others. If you’re working so hard you’re left feeling fatigued, it will not only be detrimental to yourself but also those around you.

• Delegate: Remember, you can’t do everything yourself. Ask friends and family members if they could help with caring tasks such as transportation, preparing meals or cleaning to give you a break once a week. Remember to use this time wisely and research any local caring services or take a well-earned rest!
• Get support: You may find that your friends have empathy, but trouble understanding the problems you  face as a carer. Other carers can offer a sympathetic  ear as well as practical advice, so consider joining a local carers’ support group. Carers’ support groups are reciprocal, and your experiences may help others in the future.
• Take care of your health: Focussing all your energy on the care of another may result in your own health deteriorating. Looking after your emotional and physical health will mean you’re better placed to continue caring. Talk to your  GP about your caring role and discuss any health concerns you have, such as stress or anxiety. If you cannot leave the person you care for, your  GP may be able to offer home visits.
• Take care of your wellbeing: Being a carer can be intense, emotionally draining and stressful at times. If you feel isolated in your caring role it’s easy to feel exhausted, overwhelmed or  anxious, all of which could lead to  depression. If you’re concerned about your wellbeing, discuss this with your doctor, as they can help you access counselling or support services for your emotional needs.
• Prioritise: Like any job, carers need to prioritise their tasks. Focus on essential duties and tackle less important issues when it’s more convenient. Your primary concern should be the health of the person you care for, other tasks which are nice to do, but not essential can wait, or be delegated to others.
• Stay connected: Many carers find their role can strain  relationships with friends, their spouse or  children. Make a conscious effort to stay connected with those you care about. Take every opportunity you have to socialise and take part in activities you enjoy. If you can’t leave the person you care for, use email, social networking sites and the telephone to take a short break and catch up with friends.
• Talk to your employer. Carers have a statutory right to ask their employer for flexible working hours if they are care for an adult who is a relative or lives at the same address.
• Stay active: Keeping a regular  exercise routine when you’re a carer can be difficult. Taking time out for 30 minutes of physical activities at least five times a week is the goal and can help improve  your mood and increase your energy. Walk as much as possible, use  exercise DVDs at home or try and take time away from your duties to go for a swim.
• Stay positive: As a carer there are times when you will feel frustrated, angry and resentful towards the person you care for. This is a perfectly natural reaction to stress and you shouldn’t feel guilty, but you do need to learn strategies to manage these emotions. If you feel yourself becoming frustrated, walk away from the situation, wait until you feel calm, then return to the person you care for.
• Accept your limitations: Know that you are doing your best, but accept you cannot keep another person healthy, safe and  happy every moment of the day.
• Take breaks: Working long, stressful hours can quickly lead to carers feeling fatigued and exhausted. Build short breaks into your daily routine and try and arrange one treat a week - see a film with a friend, get a massage or take a long walk.
• Respite care: There are many public, private and voluntary organisations which provide respite care, allowing carers to take a break from their role. Respite care can vary from longer term, paid residential care to voluntary relief for a couple of hours.