Relational<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\nWhen these four areas are maintained you’re able to provide quality care for your loved one without the fear of burning out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why should I implement self-care?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Many family caregivers often struggle with the concept of self-care because it seems selfish. Guilt creeps in the moment you leave your loved one\u2019s side because you could have done more. The idea of going for a walk or catching up with a friend seems like a luxury that cannot be afforded when your loved one needs attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yet, it is those few moments set aside for yourself that allow you to continue to provide quality care. Self-care is not a luxury; it’s a necessity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do I begin?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Stay tuned to this blog. (You can subscribe in the box below this post.) Over the next four weeks I’ll be breaking down each category with ideas on how to practically implement self-care into your busy life as a family caregiver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To prepare for this series, start by jotting down how you’re currently caring for your health and what are the areas you think you need to improve<\/strong>. Honestly assess your health in the four categories. Use the following self-care assessment to evaluate how well you implement self-care into your life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Self-Care Assessment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Please complete the following questionnaire* according to the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5= Frequently<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4= Occasionally<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3= Rarely<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2= Never<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1= It never occurred to me<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Physical Self-Care<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
____ Eat regularly (e.g. breakfast, lunch and dinner)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
____ Eat heathfully<\/p>\n\n\n\n
____ Exercise<\/p>\n\n\n\n
____ Get regular medical care for prevention<\/p>\n\n\n\n
____ Get medical care when needed<\/p>\n\n\n\n
____ Take time off when sick<\/p>\n\n\n\n
____ Dance, swim, walk, run, play sports, sing, or do some other physical activity that’s fun<\/p>\n\n\n\n
____ Get enough sleep<\/p>\n\n\n\n
____ Wear clothes you like<\/p>\n\n\n\n
____ Take vacations<\/p>\n\n\n\n
____ Make time away from telephones<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\nEmotional Self-Care<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
____ Allow yourself to cry<\/p>\n\n\n\n
____ Find things that make you laugh<\/p>\n\n\n\n
____ Express your outrage in social action\u2014letters, marches or protests<\/p>\n\n\n\n
____ Make time for self-reflection<\/p>\n\n\n\n
____ Write in a journal <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n____ Read materials unrelated to work<\/p>\n\n\n\n
____ Notice your inner experience\u2014listen to your thoughts, judgments, beliefs, attitudes and feelings<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Spiritual Self-Care<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
____ Make time for reflection<\/p>\n\n\n\n
____ Spend time with nature<\/p>\n\n\n\n
____ Be open to inspiration<\/p>\n\n\n\n
____ Be open to not knowing<\/p>\n\n\n\n
____ Identify what’s meaningful to you and notice its place in your life<\/p>\n\n\n\n
____ Meditate<\/p>\n\n\n\n
____ Pray<\/p>\n\n\n\n
____ Sing<\/p>\n\n\n\n
____ Read the Bible or inspirational literature<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Relational Self-Care<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
____ Spend time with others whose company you enjoy<\/p>\n\n\n\n
____ Stay in contact with other important people in your life<\/p>\n\n\n\n
____ Practice receiving from others<\/p>\n\n\n\n
____ Play with children for personal enjoyment and fulfillment<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
*Assessment is not exhaustive and has been adapted from <\/em>Transforming the Pain: A Workbook on Vicarious Traumatization, Saakvitne, Pearlman, & Staff of the TSI\/CAAP (Norton, 1996).<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Last week, I introduced the topic of self-care in the post on stress overload. 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