Mind and Body Health

Body Health

• Stay Active - Being physically active may give a sense of well being
• Eat Healthy - It is important to maintain strength to eat a well balanced diet. The Canada's food guide may help with this.
• Get plenty of rest and sleep - When caring for another person it is important to get a good nights sleep. Some tips to try are listed on the link.
• Share the Load - This may mean that you delegate some responsibilities to others.
• Don't try to go it alone - A support group may help you with allowing time to talk.

Being physically active can give you a sense of wellbeing. Regular physical activity helps reduce your risk of heart disease and it hleps to prevent diabetes, obesity and osteoporosis.

Exercise also may slow down the aging process and keep muscles strong and joints flexible.

To eat healthy it is important to choose foods from the four groups of Canada's Food Guide and eat the amounts they suggest.

• Grain Products - 5-12 servings per day. Examples could be a slice of bread, 1/2 a bagel
• Vegetables and Fruit - 5-10 servings per day. Examples could be 1/2 cup of real fruit juice, 1 apple
• Milk Products - 2-4 servings per day. Examples could be 2 cheese slices, 1 cup of milk
• Meat and Alternatives - 2-3 servings per day. Examples could be 2 tbsp of peanut butter

When caring for another individual who needs alot of help it may be hard to get enough sleep. To help you sleep you may try to have a hot bath before bed. Another idea could be to develop a bedtime routine.

If you feel overwhelmed, make the effort to share the load. This may mean that you delegate responsibility to other siblings. Find out what they are willing to help with and then let them know. Also accept assistance from friends and neighbours. They wouldn't offer if they didn't want to help.

Trying to do everything alone is very hard. If you can join a support group where you and other caregivers can talk may help. These people can offer emotional support as well as practical suggestions from their own experiences. If getting out is difficult, try and get friends and family to assist you to get to these groups.

When caring for a chronically ill person, you shoulder a lots of responsibility. You can avoid burning out by looking after yourself physically, organize your caregiving duties. Also if you plan for emergencies it may make it easier if someone needs to step in and take over on short notice.

Mind Health

• Make a "Wish List" - When making a list, think of things that will make life a little easier.
• Look out for yourself as well - Looking after someone is a trying thing to do, so it is important to look after yourself to avoid burnout.
• Pay attention to your emotional well-being - Caring for a loved one may be an emotionally exhausting time, you need to be aware of these feelings and realize that they are all normal.
• Be Realistic - Caring for someone takes time and energy, it is important to know your limits.
• Share your feelings with others - This person could be a wide variety of people.
• Look for Humor - Caring for a loved one is a hard thing to do and sometimes you may get very serious about things, but if you can laugh it may help you loosen up.

Caring for someone who is chronically ill is emotionally exhausting. In the course of caring for a loved one you will experience many emotions. Some of these emotions may be love, anger and guilt. At times you may feel trapped, cheated, isolated and discouraged. Other times you will feel love, hope, and pride. It is perfectly normal to have this range.

To be realistic means to know your limits. Caring for someone takes time and energy. There are limits to what you can do. Know what you are able to do and seek help for the rest.

It is important to share your feelings with others. Find someone you are comfortable with, then talk about how you feel or what is troubling you. The person may be a close friend or family member, someone from your faith community, or a health care professional.

Illness is serious, but you don't have to take yourself seriously all the time. Being humourous in situations does not lessen the sincerity of your care, and may be the levity that helps you rise above.