This blog is the first in a two-blog series on caregiver burnout.
Caregivers are extremely important to support systems for those needing physical help with activities of daily living. While some individuals are able to regain their full independence after a spinal cord injury, many others will need caregiving assistance, especially those who had upper-level injuries resulting in quadriplegia. If you provide care assistance to a family member, loved one, friend, or someone as part of your employment, remember how valuable you are in the life of your care recipient. It is your effort, time, energy, and compassion that directly helps them achieve their basic needs so they can continue living a normal, fulfilling life. You are essential to their everyday quality of life. At the same time, we have to acknowledge that caregivers are humans, too. It is often very challenging for caregivers to balance the needs of their care recipients and their own needs, including their own feelings, wellness, and overall mental health.
It's common for many caregivers to struggle to find this balance. If you have ever felt burned out, exhausted, or generally drained due to caregiving responsibilities, you are not alone. You may feel like you don't have enough time to focus on your own needs, you might have feelings of guilt when you attend to your own wellness, or perhaps you struggle to speak up and ask for what you need. Let's explore some of the barriers to your own wellness that you might be facing.
Ask yourselves the following questions:
- Do you have any feelings of guilt or think you are selfish if you prioritize your own needs?
- Is it frightening to think of your own needs? What is the fear about? Where does that come from?
- Are you afraid that others might perceive you and a negative way if you focus on your wellness?
- Are you worried that your care recipient might become upset if you take time for yourself?
- Do you have trouble asking for what you need? Do you feel inadequate in some way if you ask for help?
- Do you feel you have to prove that you are worthy of your care recipient's affection? Does that ever lead to you taking on too much as a result?
- What would you say is the biggest reason preventing you from self-care? Time? Resources? Support from others? Lack of other caregivers available to step in?
- Have you generally struggled with prioritizing your mental health even prior to being in the role of a caregiver?
- Do you have any negative self-talk or internal beliefs that make you feel as though you're not deserving of prioritizing your wellness?