Caregiver Inspiration

There’s a lot of people who will tell you ‘if you work in a field you love, you never work a day in your life!’  I tend to agree, since when you can do this, you are doing something that makes you happy.  However, many people have a ‘job’ because they need the paycheck to make it from week to week.

When I look at a person who is caregiver of the disabled, I am both awed and inspired!  Their dedication is incredible, whether its a parent, other relative, friend, or hired person.  On days when everything seems to go wrong, a person may wonder how they keep from being overwhelmed, stay motivated and how they manage the stress.

A caregiver who chooses this profession, is one who wants to make a difference in the lives of others.  While we all have a ‘job’ to do, sometimes we wonder how our ‘work’ improves or even affects, the lives of other individuals.

As caregiver, a person directly impacts the quality of life for those who are under their care. especially when they are able to give assistance to their ‘charge’ in the familiar surroundings of their client’s home.  Their aid and support is vital to every day functionality, health, and happiness.

Being passionate and patient are some of the qualities required to care for the disabled or even a senior. But it’s important to remember, that we all require self-care.  This is especially vital in this profession, yet sometimes extremely difficult.

It’s In The Love

I had conversation recently with a parent who had a highly autistic, non-verbal son.  On those days when the son turned violent during adolescence, remaining calm, assured, or patient was difficult. This circumstance could strain even the most passionate person.  Love is the obvious answer.  This parent loved his son so much, he would have done almost anything to make his son’s life more tolerable, and often did.

This kind of love is somewhat different for a non-parent, but still often the driving force behind their care.  Sometimes a person must just step back and remember to ‘breathe’!  Taking a walk outside to recompose after a particularly stressful day is a key component of self-care.  Perspective can be re-acclimated through time alone and the natural beauty our mind can focus on.

Self-Care

Other methods of self-care is to try a new hobby which can take your mind off the current situation; heading to the gym for exercise; allowing yourself time to soak in the tub; calling a friend to vent or even asking for help.  We aren’t supposed to tackle everything alone.  Asking for help does not suggest we are weak, but rather strong enough to recognize we need another perspective.

Even when we love what we do, our emotions and perspectives can become skewed due to physical fatigue and circumstances over which we have no control. When we ignore the signals our bodies give us, we risk faltering. We are human and deserve to help ourselves in ways that help us be at our best. Give yourself the gift of self-care, which is not only good for you, but your family, friends and for those you are working with, to increase their optimal quality of life. Choose to be your best and practice, whenever possible, daily self-care.

#selfcare #PassionForWork #BeYourBest #PracticeSelfCareEveryDay #askForHelp #LoveYourself #ImprovedQualityOfLife

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