Valuing and prioritising self care is really important here and even more important when we are starting to feel the impact of caring for others.
Getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, good nutrition and some exercise if you can, are all important pillars that make up good self care practices and can hold us in good stead when we need the energy to continue caring for others.
When I start to feel myself becoming depleted from work or caring for a loved one in my personal life, I try to pay extra attention to what I am putting in my body, so I try to increase my fruit and vegetable intake, make sure I’m drinking enough water. It’s also important to limit alcohol/drugs as this can lead to increased energy and a clearer mind, making it easier to work out what you need to do to maintain your recovery.
I have also found mindfulness and grounding techniques can help with those overwhelming /big feelings that can consume us during moments of increased stress.
I know it might feel daunting to attend to our own self care when we are feeling exhausted from caring for others and managing complex mental health issues, so starting with small things that feel achievable is important, everyone’s “small , manageable goals” will look different but for me this may look like going for a walk around the block, drinking a glass of water, having a cup of herbal tea and just breathing all go a long way.
Share the load, reach out to your own support network, you aren’t expected to be able to be everything for your loved one/mate, there are parts of their recovery that need to be attended to by others like other people in their life and mental health professionals.
