Five strategies for emotional health

Being a family caregiver has plenty of sweet moments, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t also emotionally challenging. It’s often stressful when you are searching for answers, wondering if you’re doing enough, and coping with the confusion of your changing relationship.

Here are five strategies to help you stay grounded and calm while caring for a loved one. Try them one at a time and notice what works best for you:

1. Practice self-compassion. Listen to your self-talk and be as kind to yourself as you would be talking to a friend. Eliminate perfection as a goal. Small acts of kindness, whether toward others or yourself, can soothe and boost your mood.
2. Connect with others. Share your feelings with friends, caregiver support groups, or a therapist to lighten your emotional load. Find a group through National Alliance for Caregiving, Family Caregiver Alliance, or the Hospice Foundation of America. Many health organizations, such as the Alzheimer’s Association, also have support groups.
3. Ask for help. Don’t hesitate to ask professionals, family, or friends for support. You can’t do it all alone and stay healthy. Make a list of tasks to delegate and say a big “YES” when help is offered. It’s also okay to say a grateful “No, thank you” to offers that don’t support your needs.
4. Stay present. Practice mindfulness by pausing for ten to fifteen minutes a day to take deep breaths and center yourself. Consider keeping a gratitude journal or quietly savoring a cup of tea. Such practices promote calm and let you appreciate the small joys in life.
5. Seek awe. Awe happens with wondrous experiences—falling stars, fireflies, a birth, a cathedral, a song—that amaze and add new dimension to life. Make time for awe. You may find it in nature, music, art, and/or spiritual experience. Noticing and savoring such moments can refresh your spirit and help keep everything in perspective.

Is caregiving taking a toll on you?
The journey can be rewarding, but it’s also filled with challenges such as stress, grief, and exhaustion. At Gentle Shepherd Hospice, we can offer strategies to help support your emotional health. As the Roanoke and Lynchburg experts in caregiver support, we’re here to help you find balance and strength in your role. Call us today at 1-800-789-0586 (toll-free) to learn more.