By Jennifer McDougall

As caregivers, we know that self-care is essential. We talk about it a lot, but we don’t often follow through. We know it’s necessary, but there’s always something more urgent to do. It seems like a luxury we don’t have time for. Whether you take a day off to go to the spa or just your favorite coffee shop by yourself, you must remember to take care of yourself first. Self-care can be anything that gives you peace and helps you feel recharged, whether that means going on vacation or simply having some extra time each week when no one else needs you!

We talk about it a lot, but we don’t often follow through.

• We’re busy, we’re stressed, we’re tired and overwhelmed.
• We don’t have time to care for ourselves because of our demanding schedules and responsibilities.
• It’s hard to find the money for self-care when you live paycheck to paycheck.
• Self-care can seem selfish when people struggle with severe problems like homelessness or mental illness.

This is why it’s so vital that we help each other with self-care! When one person takes the time and energy needed to care for themselves regularly, everyone benefits from their positive attitude and increased productivity at work or school—and those are just two outcomes out of many!

We know it’s essential, but there’s always something more urgent to do.

We know it’s essential, but there’s always something more urgent to do.

Self-care is not a luxury or something you can take time for once you’ve finished your tasks. It’s not a reward; it is necessary for our health and well-being.

It seems like a luxury we don’t have time for.

Self-care is essential for your mental health, physical health, relationships, career, and family. It’s also vital for your friends.

Self-care seems like a luxury we don’t have time for. But it’s critical to our well-being as human beings and to the success of our organizations and movements!

Whether you take a day off to go to the spa or just your favorite coffee shop by yourself, you must remember to take care of yourself first.

Whether you take a day off to go to the spa or just your favorite coffee shop by yourself, you must remember to take care of yourself first.

Self-care is not selfish; it is necessary for your health and well-being. Make time each week for self-care so you feel refreshed, and ready for anything life throws at you!

Self-care can be anything that gives you peace and helps you feel recharged.

Self-care can mean a lot of different things, depending on the person. For some people, self-care might be taking care of their mental health by going to therapy or starting a journaling practice. For others, it could mean getting out in nature more often and being around plants and animals. For still others, self-care might involve spending time with friends or family members who make them happy—even if that means avoiding certain people who don’t make you feel good about yourself!

Self-care is meant to be flexible: it’s something that each person defines for themselves. There may be times when you want to try something new with your self-care routine (like reading graphic novels instead of watching TV), but other times when you’re happy sticking with what works well for you (like listening to music while drawing).

It is being mindful about keeping your body and mind healthy for the long haul.

Self-care is a term that has become widely used in the last couple of decades, but how do you know if it’s right for you? Self-care is not selfish. It’s necessary for your health and well-being.

It can be hard to make time for self-care when so many other things demand our attention, but we must remember that we’re only human! As caregivers, we need to prioritize taking care of ourselves first to be able to fully serve others later on.

Self-care isn’t about doing everything on your own—it’s about giving yourself permission to take a break from whatever demands are placed upon you during the day or week. Sometimes this means getting away from your desk at work or school by going outside (even if just for five minutes) so that you can come back refreshed and ready for whatever comes next in your day; other times, it might mean taking a nap after lunch because naps always make everything better!

It can also be hard to do amid daily responsibilities as a caregiver.

It can also be hard to do amid daily responsibilities as a caregiver. It’s easy to feel like you don’t have enough time or that caring for yourself is selfish because it means not taking care of someone else.

But self-care isn’t selfish; it’s necessary! Your well-being is an integral part of your ability to give others the best care possible, and taking breaks throughout the day will help you save your energy, so you can be patient and empathetic when dealing with others. As caregivers, we know that sometimes all it takes is remembering one thing—that having healthy boundaries makes us better at giving care (and having more compassion).

That being said, what does self-care look like? It really depends on where you are in life: maybe some days all it takes is getting out of bed before noon; other days require catching up on sleep after going crazy overnight; other times might call for treating yourself with something special or going out with friends—whatever works best for YOU!

Self-care is not selfish; it is necessary for your health and well-being.

Self-care is not selfish; it is necessary for your health and well-being. The most common forms of self-care include:

• Getting enough sleep and eating healthy meals that have sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals
• Being mindful of the body’s needs for things like water, rest, exercise, and relaxation

Self-care can be anything that gives you peace and helps you feel recharged. It doesn’t have to take much time or money—you don’t even need to leave the house! For example, some people find that listening to music helps them relax after a long day. Others might prefer reading a book or taking a bath instead; still, others may enjoy going outside into nature as part of their routine (for example, walking through their neighborhood). All forms are valid ways of practicing self-care! Remember that whatever form(s) work best for YOU will depend on how much energy YOU have available right now—and no two caregivers are alike either!

When we care for ourselves, we have more to give others.

In our society, we are often taught that taking care of ourselves is selfish and that we must put others first. But this is not true! Self-care isn’t about prioritizing yourself before others; it’s about loving yourself to better love the people around you.

If you have been caring for someone with a disability, or if you’re caring for a young child or an older adult with dementia, then self-care may seem like an impossible feat. But there are ways to make it work even when your schedule is packed, and everything seems chaotic. You just need to prioritize your needs so they can get met as best as possible within your current reality:

• Start small—ensure you get enough sleep every night (even if it means missing out on other things).
• Set aside time during the week for some alone time where no one else is around (maybe take a bath or go for a walk).
• Make sure each day includes something fun before bedtime or during lunch break (it doesn’t have to be expensive!).

Conclusion

We all need to take care of ourselves and our health. It doesn’t matter how old or young you are, your responsibilities, or how much time you have in the day. Small acts such as getting enough sleep and exercising regularly can go a long way towards helping you feel better and more energized. In addition, when we take care of ourselves, we have more to give others.

What services are provided through POCWASN? 

Many of those who care for a family member or loved one forget to take time for themselves to rejuvenate their mind, body, and spirit. Here at POCWASN, we are happy to provide you with self-care services to feel more energized and replenished daily. Check out a list of our services below. To apply or inquire about more information, please visit www.POCWASN.org today. 

Fitness Programs:

• Parents/Caregivers
• Kids
• Adults

Personal Care Services

• Facials
• Lashes
• Hair Salon Services
• Massages
• Life Coaching

 Entertainment Outings

• Sports
• Music (Concerts, Plays)
• Movie Nights
• Date Nights (For Couples)

 Eileen’s Care (Specialty Services)

• Laundry Assistance
• Cleaning Services 

If you have questions or are interested in our self-care services, please fill out the form below.