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March 20, 2023 | Healthy You | Mental Health
Caring for yourself is not selfish — in fact, it’s key in being able to better care for others.
On every flight, the flight attendants make a point to say, “put on your oxygen mask before helping others.” That’s because you can’t help other people effectively without also taking care of yourself.
When a loved one is sick or in need of hands-on care, it can often be just as stressful for the caregiver as it is for the one with the illness. If you're caring for a loved one, it can be easy to try to do everything yourself and later feel worn out or exhausted.
“As caregivers we take pride in caring for others and feel a sense of honor or privilege in doing so,” says Amy Gruber, PsyD, a PeaceHealth licensed clinical psychologist. “How remarkable would it be if we could redirect that same love and compassion that we dole out to others toward ourselves?”
Here are some ways you can tend to your own well-being while caring for others:
“The impact of self-care is that we get to model for others how to prioritize and tend to oneself. We’re actually paving the path and giving permission for other to do so as well. In the end, it’s a reciprocal act.” Dr. Gruber said.
If you are caring for a loved one and need help, consider PeaceHealth Home and Community services. Home and Community’s services are frequently used or required following a disability, illness, injury, surgery or hospitalization. Contact a member of our team today for to see if in-home care is right for your family.