You’ve just helped Mom get to bed after a challenging day. You are worn out — physically and emotionally — and there’s still a list of tasks waiting for your attention. Maybe it was the struggle with getting her to take her medication today, or perhaps the call from a relative who offered well-meaning but impractical advice that caused that extra amount of stress. Providing care for a senior loved one can be one of the hardest roles you’ll face in your lifetime. Building emotional resilience is an essential step in overcoming caregiver challenges, and it’s the foundation that will help you move forward when the days are tough.
So how exactly can you build emotional resilience? There are some simple but effective things you can do today.
- Practice self-compassion and self-care without guilt. Caregiving is generally linked to selflessness; however, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Practicing self-care doesn’t have to mean taking a two-week vacation (although that might be nice!) — sometimes it means allowing yourself ten minutes to read a chapter of a novel, watch your favorite show, or take a short walk around the block. Self-compassion is just as important. When things don’t go as planned, like a doctor’s appointment that turns into a meltdown, it’s easy to blame yourself. Instead, try treating yourself with the same kindness you would show a friend in your role. Remind yourself that you are doing the best you can, and that’s enough.
- Celebrate the little victories. There will be days when everything feels stressful. It’s easy to focus on the things that didn’t go right, but emotional resilience is created by shifting that focus to the wins, in spite of how small they may seem. Did Mom finally smile after days of being withdrawn? Did you manage to carve out five minutes for a cup of tea while she took a nap? These moments matter. Emotional resilience grows when you acknowledge these small victories, because it reminds you that your efforts are making a difference, even though the path is bumpy.
- Lean on your support network. No one can do it alone, and the fact is, you don’t have to. Building emotional resilience means knowing when you should ask for help. Whether it’s reaching out to a good friend, joining an online support group, or partnering with Comfi-Kare Homecare, sharing your burden lightens it. If a neighbor offers to bring over dinner, say yes. If a family member offers to sit with Mom for an hour, let them. It’s not a sign of weakness to accept help; in fact, it’s a sign of strength because it shows you are committed to sustaining yourself for the long haul.
- Embrace what you can control — and let go of everything you can’t. It’s easy to feel like every setback is a representation of your abilities as a caregiver. Did Mom refuse to eat again today? Did she get irritated during her physical therapy session? These moments can feel intensely personal. But building emotional resilience starts with realizing that you can’t control everything. Instead of concentrating on what went wrong, try to concentrate on what you can influence. For example, you can’t control whether Mom chooses to eat every meal, but you can control offering nutritious and appetizing options. Once you let go of the pressure to fix everything, you give yourself space to concentrate on what you can improve.
- Develop a flexible state of mind. When you’re taking care of a loved one, plans often change. Maybe today was supposed to be an outing to the park, but now it’s a day of dealing with a flare-up of medical issues. Emotional resilience isn’t about resisting these changes; it’s about flowing with them. Instead of focusing on what you couldn’t do, think about what’s possible now. Instead of that outing, maybe it becomes a cozy afternoon with their favorite movie. Adapting your expectations helps decrease feelings of frustration and disappointment, which ultimately builds a stronger, more resilient mindset.
Let Us Help!
Caregiving is not a role you need to fill all alone! Our trained, experienced care professionals are here to partner with you to ensure the best quality of life for the person you love, and the opportunity for you to discover a healthy life balance for yourself. Serving Silver Spring, Rockville, Potomac, and the surrounding areas, you can reach out to us online or we’re just a phone call away at 240-750-6617.