There are many people who are carers, and wouldn't recognise themselves as such. Without these wonderful people, our society would be a very different place. This is before you include the professional carers, that help our sick and vulnerable people.
Without these people, many would have a much poorer quality of life.In my own example, if my wife didn't do so many things for me, I would not be able to continue with my support work. I often think, wherever we go, that I, as the patient, get all the attention.My medical team, look after me, as a VIP, and socially our friends always ask how I am, but my wife is rarely considered. In many respects taken for granted.
Most people looking after friends and loved ones do that willingly, selflessly, and with very little thought for themselves. Their roles can be short term or last for a lifetime. They just do what is necessary. Certainly they do not look for any recognition. My worry with this though has always been, that if they don't recognise themselves as carers, they may not realise that they also need help.
This week I am honoured to include this guest post from Jayne Cox,who amongst her many roles, delivers workshops to both carers and patients at her local hospice.
Caring for the Carer
As a carer you have a vital role in someone’s life. It can be an ever-changing role and may be driven by your love but also requires your dedication and strength to carry on with what can feel like a difficult full time job. Your place in someone’s life can feel as if it’s changed and your relationship quite different now that you not only love but also provide care on so many levels.
So how do you remain positive and find inner resilience as a carer? Let me share some practical ideas with you.
1. ‘It’s really not fair’ and it’s ok to feel this and to say it out loud. Allowing your natural feelings to be shared is a step in the right direction. When you’ve acknowledged how you feel it allows you to move forward.
2. Think about who you have in your life. Who will allow you to speak and will really listen to you? This may be people you know well OR people that are almost strangers.
3. Some people benefit from meeting with other carers. This can help with the feelings of being isolated and alone. Ask about local groups.
4. Most of us can find resilience in the most difficult of times and it’s good to develop this habit. You can accept that life is changing and learn to adapt. It’s good to discover the things that you do have control of in your life. Notice ways to feel more of a survivor than a victim of a situation. Learn to problem solve and ask for help.
5. Look for ways you can have some normality in your life. For example, socialising, work, hobbies, self care.
6. Are your spiritual needs met? It can help to explore what spirituality means to you. More here
7. Take walks outside and enjoy open spaces and fresh air.
8. Notice good things that happen in a day with your loved one. Write it down and recall the moments.
9. What are you grateful for? This is a lovely way to end the day and again writing it down has more of a positive impact.
10. Allow your natural thoughts to be noticed and see if you can give some distance to any difficult thoughts. Imagine balloons containing your thoughts, which will you hold onto and which ones can you allow to float away. Mindfulness and meditation are good practices and there are apps for your phone that mean you have them close at hand.
11. Find some balance. This can be keeping busy and productive balanced with rest and relaxation.
12. Practice rational optimism. This is accepting of reality, having hope and seeing that life is for living.
13. Make time to be together and focus on what you can do.
14. It’s ok to want your own space. It’s natural to sometimes need silence and quiet. Notice if this becomes unhealthy and you withdraw and reach out for support.
15. There are 2 special P’s that can really help us feel much brighter. Pets and People. Stroking a pet or spending time with animals can change how we view things and relieve stress The right people, supportive and positive listeners, are a great asset too,
16. Remember caring for you allows you to care for another.
Caring isn’t easy and it’s not possible to be positive every minute of every day. It’s often about drawing a line under the bad day and remembering the sun will come out again.
Recommended support:
Carers app called Jointly https://www.jointlyapp.com/#welcome
10 steps to more resilience http://psychology.about.com/od/crisiscounseling/tp/become-more-resilient.htm
Exploring Spirituality http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/help-information/mental-health-a-z/S/spirituality/
Carers support
http://www.carersuk.org/support
http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helping-someone-else/how-to-cope-as-a-carer/#.UwIgortvsXg
It has been a great pleasure to share this piece, and if you would like to contact Jayne and find out more about her work, you can connect here
