If you've been providing care for awhile to someone who's sick (like someone with Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), you may be feeling the strain on a personal level. "Caregiving" is not an easy job. (Of course, neither is being sick, but that's beyond the scope of this post.)
You want to keep going and feel like you're doing a good job. Here are a few tips that might help:
3 minutes and 6 seconds
Tip 1:
Don't give away so much of yourself that you feel empty. It's necessary at times to replenish yourself and, possibly, keep up with your daily work. (Note: I've had to excuse myself during these days of my husband's recuperation and keep up the Health Matters Show. He understands and, thank goodness, doesn't need me every minute.)
Tip 2:
Consider scheduling time out of your caregiving duties for personal time, like a luncheon with friends or time going to a movie. If your loved one can't tolerate being alone, get someone to relieve you so that you can take a break. When you come back refreshed and revived, you'll be able to help your loved one that much more.
Tip 3:
Taking time for yourself is vitally important is you're feeling stressed or you've been in this caregiving role for some time. If you burn out, who will help the both of you?
Caregiving is not an easy job, but it is highly regarded and appreciated by your loved one.
If you don't realize that you're loved and valued every second, know that you are. Your "patient" can't do without you!
Have a great day and schedule time off if you need it.
Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show
