The emotions of family caregivers caring for a loved one with cancer are complex, ranging from profound love and empathy to fear, sadness, and exhaustion. To stay healthy and strong for your loved one on this journey, making your wellness a priority is a necessity to sustain your well-being. You as a breast cancer survivor, thriver or fighter, are also caregivers for your family and need to remember to care for yourself too.
Here are a few tips to help caregivers care for themselves.
- Take regular walks in nature. It rejuvenates the mind and body. Exercise may increase energy levels, focus, reduce stress, promote relaxation, enhance mood and mental well-being.
- Listen to classical music. It may create a calming effect for the listener by releasing dopamine which is the body’s natural happy chemical that improves a person’s mood.
- Talk to a licensed counselor. Counselors can guide you through the process of understanding your emotions and support you in working out obstacles to solve problems.
- Practice meditation. It provides a valuable tool for managing stress, promoting relaxation, and fosters emotional well-being. It provides a sense of inner calm.
Enjoy some of the free guided meditations from Caregiver Mental Wellness to begin some health practices to care for yourself as a caregiver.
Written by: Carolyn Dowdy, Founder/President of Caregiver Mental Wellness, INC.
Caregiver Mental Wellness is one of our community partners that is empowering caregivers to thrive and find balance in their caregiving journey, envisioning a world where caregivers’ mental and emotional well-being is prioritized, and where compassionate support and understanding is readily available in families, among friends, in communities, and in our workforce.
