Caregiving and Self-Care

Do you care for an elder, a child, clients, or someone in need? Then it is important for you to also remember to take care of yourself! Just as the the flight attendants advise you on an airplane to put your oxygen mask on before helping someone in need sitting next to you. If you do not take care of yourself you can not do your best in caring for others. Self-Care is defined as anything good you do for yourself. There are many benefits of Self-Care, but here are the highlights; better productivity, improved health, improved self-esteem, increased self-knowledge, and more to give to others. Self-care can come in many different forms; sensory, emotional, spiritual, physical, and social. For example, sensory self-care can be a massage, a bath, smelling essential oils, or being in nature listening to the birds or looking at the flowers while feeling the sun and breeze on your skin. Emotional self-care can be laughing, talking to a therapist, letting your anger out in a healthy way by hitting a pillow, or forcing yourself to smile and think positive things. Spiritual self-care can be meditating, praying, or being in nature. Physical self-care can be exercising, sleeping well and eating healthy. Last but not least is socializing with people who enrich your life with love, joy, support and laughter. If we put more effort in our self the rest will fall into place. Please find ways to take care of your self!