Be Your Own Caregiver
The idea for this post came to me through discussion with my counselor, but also while sitting in class Wednesday listening to theory presentations. A lot of nursing theories focus on self care and how providers should come alongside patients to address individual health needs and concerns. When I become a nurse practitioner in a couple years, it will be my job to care for patients by assessing their immediate needs, past or current behaviors, and future health goals. Then I will be helping them come up with the steps to achieve those goals. I did this to some extent as a nurse as well. Pretty important job and a lot of responsibility…eek!
Just as it is my job to encourage patients to care for themselves, it is also my job to be a good caregiver for myself. How can I care for them and set a good example if I don’t practice what I preach?! In the last post I talked about taking better care of the inner person in each of us. The inner person is that little person that we tend to forget about in everyday life. Life can quickly consume us to the point where we forget to acknowledge our basic personal needs. Basic needs include drinking water, feeling safe, having social support, having a roof over our heads, eating balanced meals, and being able to eliminate waste from the body. If these basic needs aren’t met, a lot can go wrong with the body, mind, and spirit. You don’t have to be perfect at self care, but good is good enough.
You may be a single mom or dad and have one or more jobs. You may be the primary caregiver for an ill friend or family member, or you may be experiencing illness yourself. You may even feel trapped inside due to mental health issues. Whatever your struggles, distractions, or lives consist of, you are not alone! While thinking about the things that take away from your self care, also think about the extent to which your daily activities may currently be affected by stress or unmet needs.
So…how can you better care for your inner person so you can view life more positively and experience less stress and more fulfillment in life? I’m not an expert, but from my experience as a human being and registered nurse, I’ve discovered that the answer to this question is multidimensional. I plan on discussing more techniques and strategies in other posts, but for now, I will just mention meditation and controlled breathing.
When the body senses danger it says, “Oh crap! I need to skedaddle out of here!” That is the fight-or-flight response. Adrenaline pumps throughout the body, heart rate and breathing increase, you may feel numb in your arms or legs, and your perspective gets itty bitty. Your sense of reality goes out the window! For those of you with anxiety, deep controlled breathing or meditation is a great way to help with clarity of mind and the uncomfortable physical symptoms.
A study done by three or so different types of doctors showed that meditation decreased anxiety and uneasiness (Benson, 1993). During meditation the body’s metabolism decreased leading them to use seventeen percent less oxygen, which then decreased the rate of breathing (Benson, 1993). They also noted that there was less lactate in the blood during meditation, which is a chemical that can cause anxiety and uneasiness when it is high (Benson, 1993). Low levels of lactate help you experience peace and tranquility (Benson, 1993). I also read that brain wave patterns slowed and that there were more types of low-frequency waves (Benson, 1993). These types of waves help with rest and relaxation (Benson, 1993). Okay, enough nerd talk, but this information is super interesting (to me at least)!
Personally, I practice deep breathing three times a day or more. It helps clear my mind, decreases my anxiety for presentations, and makes me feel more a peace throughout the day. Deep breathing when you aren’t having symptoms can help prepare your body for when you actually encounter stressful situations. It may take time to train your body and mind to relax, but it is possible with practice.
You Are Amazing!
~Petey~
P.S. The link below is to the study I discussed if you are interested in reading more about the results.
http://www.upegroup.com/uploads/1/1/0/4/11040867/relaxation_...
Recent Comments
11
Paiton,
Thank you for this I will sure try the deep breathing I did use it
before for my anxiety and it really does help :)
You're welcome! The breathing is a habit thing for me. If I don't do it, my body forgets for when I actually need it!!!
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This is a great post and I enjoyed reading it. That is so true. I am a caregiver to my husband and I was taking care of myself and I had a mini-stroke so now the tables are turned.
He has become my caregiver and now he knows what I do is not easy. I am doing okay for the most part but my point is I didn't listen to my body to slow down so my body with the help of God slowed me down and now things are going on okay.
I also have bipolar and things in that area are not the greatest right now but I am managing my doctor is aware of the situation and she wants me to keep busy so that is what I am doing is keeping busy.
I am resting more and taking it easy and I need to work on deep breathing and meditation and I haven't been doing that because I don't feel like myself but that is another story. I am glad that you wrote this post because it helps me to focus on what is important.
Mary
You are so welcome. It is easy to write and talk about caring for ourselves, but much more difficult to actually do it! You are not alone with the bipolar. I sometimes don't feel myself either and lose interest or motivation, etc. It sounds like you have much going on in your life. I started a new medicine, so now I'm on two. I think the new one is helping. Keeping busy helps me too:)
That is what my doctor said to me was to keep busy. I feel like I am losing myself right now and I don't know what to do. I feel like I am going through the motions and that's it. I don't like this but I have to work through it. I do have alot going on and I am not trying to worry about anything right now only because of the mini-stroke. So I am working through everything right now that is all I can do.
Mary
I am so sorry you feel like you do. It is an awful feeling to feel like you're just going through the motions. I come and go with that. I pray your health gets better and better. Try to stay positive. I'll be thinking of you.
Thank you so much I really appreciate the prayers. I am slowly getting better. Physically I am doing okay it is the mental part that I am not doing so hot but I am starting to get a grip on things so I am working on it.
I have talked with my husband and that made me feel somewhat better. Thank you for your concern I really appreciate that so very much. And I am glad that you are a nurse and that I can talk to you.
Mary
Always here to encourage you. The mental part is often the most difficult. It's okay that you aren't perfect. Just remember that. the world is full of us who struggle with mental health issues, including me. HUGS, Petey
I am having the hardest time accepting what happened to me and that I am able to do what others can't do. I understand that it is a blessing and I am not mad or upset.
It is not helping but I am working my way through it though.
I am sending hugs back at you
Mary