To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honors.

Prioritize Healthy Eating and Exercise: Commit to a balanced diet and regular exercise, even if your schedule is tight.

Seek Support and Share Responsibilities: Don't hesitate to ask for help from family members or friends. 

Build a Self-Care Toolkit: Create a personalized self-care toolkit that includes activities, resources, and strategies that work for YOU.

Set Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries to protect your own time and energy.

With the thought of "Who needs more care than a caregiver", Caring Bridge asked their community for ways to care for the caregiver.  Here are a few and click the link below to see the full list.

Prioritize Nutrition:  With the ongoing stress of caregiving, good nutrition becomes critical to maintain your health and well-being.

Keep a Gratitude Journal:  Even on the days where nothing is going right, there are still things to be grateful for. Keeping a gratitude journal can actually help you rewire your brain to be more positive.

Everyday Health, in the article by Lauren Krouse , addresses, The Caregiver’s Mental Load and Self-Care for Caregivers.  Here are a few suggestions from the Practice Healthy Coping Skills discussion:

Prioritize sleep. If caring for your loved one means disrupted sleep, avoid using caffeinated beverages to stay awake. Instead, take naps when you can.

Make respite a habit. Look at your calendar and mark down times to take a regular break every week, month, and year. Regular breaks can lower stress and boost positive experiences, protecting against chronic stress.