Busy lives mean stressful lives. Managing this stress will look differently for everyone, and this may present with different challenges for caregivers. Those providing care to family members or loved ones in the community will often place their own needs as secondary, devoting their days to care and relentless tasks to maintain the health and needs of their loved one. This care starts by honouring of their loved one. It is a demonstration of their commitment, love and promises to another, and can insidiously become exhausting, overwhelming, lead to feelings of guilt and disconnection as caregivers become drained of their energy. With limited time for rest, it can feel relentless and hopeless. Caregivers; your life and energy are important and your loved one needs you to take care of yourself. If you are struggling with feelings of exhaustion, guilt, loneliness, difficulty focusing or a general feeling of extreme fatigue, it may be time to seek support for yourself. Self-care is not selfish, it is self-compassion wrapped in loving acceptance.
Caregivers play a fundamental role in supporting their communities. They have the pleasure and responsibility of supporting the vulnerable in their lives. This can be for children, parents, siblings, spouses, partners, friends, and countless others who are living with their own health concerns. The sense of responsibility can become overwhelming, especially when acute phases and changes in available resources feel depleting and disempowering. If you start feeling exhausted, resentful, guilty, frustrated or irritable, it may be time to seek support, allow yourself to experience your feelings in a non-judgmental space, and relearn how to meet your needs. You are not alone, you are seen and you deserve self-care as much as your loved one deserves care.
If you need support please reach out to Karine through:
Email: Info@ksrc.ca
Phone: 613-701-7574
