Resolutions and goal setting are important for family caregivers. Here are 4 New Year’s resolutions that can help family caregivers take care of themselves.
Setting resolutions for the new year provide an opportunity to focus efforts towards growth, improvement, and peace. Despite best intentions, according to Forbes, 80% of people who set resolutions at the new year fail to achieve them. Because of this, it is key to set goals that are obtainable. This can mean setting seemingly small resolutions to help you improve your life.
Choosing a New Year’s resolution around your caregiver responsibilities can help you prioritize, create boundaries, focus on self-care, and provide higher quality care to your loved one overall. And if you are unsure where to start setting goals, here are 4 New Year’s resolutions to consider.
Make “You” a Priority
Effectively providing quality care to a loved one starts by making your needs a priority. You cannot consistently provide the care your loved one needs if you don't take care of yourself first. Committing time to focus more on yourself, even just a little bit, is a great resolution for 2022.
One of the first steps that you can take to achieve this resolution is managing guilt. It is important to understand that guilt is a common feeling when prioritizing your own needs over other responsibilities. Making “you” a priority starts by overcoming this barrier.
Here are a few ways to prioritize “you”:
Set time aside everyday for yourself
Accept that it is OK to say “no” if you cannot do something
Realize that asking for help is not failure
Trust your instincts
If you need rest, rest
Pamper yourself from time to time
Try to remove negativity from your life
Here are some additional tips from Thought Catalog on how to prioritize yourself.
Improve Mental, Physical, and Emotional Health
Maintaining good health is important for everyone, and is especially important if you are a caregiver. Caregiving requires mental, physical, and emotional strength. Focusing on your health and taking steps to live an active lifestyle can help you reduce stress often accrued when providing care for a loved one. According to a study, performed by The Family Caregiver Alliance, 45% of those caring for a spouse or parent reported feeling stressed.
This is a great New Year’s resolution because it can positively impact many aspects of your life, including your journey as a caregiver.
Making an investment in your personal health can allow you to feel refreshed and recharged. As a family caregiver, time may be limited, but, there are still steps that you can take to put your health first. Here are a few tips to get started.
Find the best form of exercise that works for you and your schedule
Practice deep breathing and/or mindful meditation
Make sure you are getting proper rest and nutrition
Establish a routine and set realistic health goals
Here are some additional tips for focusing on self-care.
Set Boundaries
Providing care for a family member can make it challenging to set boundaries and manage the feeling of guilt. As a caregiver, it is crucial to effectively communicate your boundaries and hold others accountable if those boundaries are crossed. Setting effective boundaries requires a commitment from all parties involved, including yourself. If you have not set boundaries, make it a priority this year.
Here are some tips for creating healthy boundaries:
Learn how and when to say “no”.
Set realistic limits internally and externally.
Get support when and where you need it.
Communicate your feelings often.
Hold others accountable and communicate frustration.
Find Help When You Need It
With other important obligations and only so much time in the day, it may be time to consider respite care. Respite care can provide you with short-term relief from your duties as a caregiver and allow you time to focus our yourself and your needs. If you are interested in learning more about Comfort Keepers, our services, and how we can help you through our respite care services call our office today (651) 796-2540
