Coping with a Loved One’s Serious Illness

When a serious illness strikes a family, everyone’s life is thrown into turmoil. Whether the illness is chronic or acute, no one can really prepare you for the responsibility of caregiving and the emotions that go with it.

Unfortunately, as we throw ourselves into overdrive, doing everything we can to deliver the best care to our loved one, we typically put our own self-care on the backburner, which ultimately leads to caregiver burnout.

If you’re feeling worn out, here are some ways you can care for yourself while caring for your loved one:

Give Yourself Space

You’re no doubt overwhelmed and inundated with activities that surround your loved one’s care. It’s important that you take time to get away for some quiet reflection. Take a walk in nature or a long drive to clear your head and catch your breath.

Eat Right

If there were any time in your life you craved comfort foods, now would be it! But loading up on carbs and sugar is not what your body needs. Do your best to forego donuts and pasta and instead opt for fruits and vegetables. Caregiving can make planning healthy meals a challenge, but healthy meals can be made quickly.  For instance, throwing some veggies and meat in the crock pot all day, grabbing the pre-made options put together by HyVee dieticians or the freezer meals from Back2Basics here in Cherry Hill.  Regardless, find a way to give your body the nutrients in needs to keep going during this draining period of your life.

Connect with Others

It’s easy to become isolated during this time. You’re tired and emotional, and besides the goings-on at various doctors’ appointments, you may feel you have little to offer in the way of sterling conversation.

It’s important that you remain socially active and connect with others. This could mean finding a local support group, or grabbing a latte with friends every Thursday morning. You need to remember who you are as a person, not just a caregiver, and social interactions will help you feel human.

Get Help

Many family caregivers feel it’s their entire responsibility to provide care for their loved one. But you don’t have to do everything by yourself. Reach out to other family members and friends for help. Look into getting a home health aid who can step in for you so you can have a couple hours off each week.

You may also want to consider seeking the guidance of a family therapist who can help you navigate your emotions and offer tools to help you cope with your new day-to-day reality.

If you’d like to explore therapy options, please send me a message or call 573-328-2288. I’d love to discuss how one of our therapists might be able to help you and your family during this difficult time.

It’s Easy to Start Counseling for Caregivers in Columbia MO

If you are feeling “stuck,” depressed or have anxiety that’s interfering with your day to day living, please reach out today. Burnout therapy is available in Mid Missouri. If you feel overwhelmed, we can help. We’ll provide them a safe environment to express your emotions. We understand caregivers need to be taken care of. Counseling can help you cope with the stress of taking care of others. We take time to match each individual with the right therapist based on personality, your wants and the therapist’s expertise. Here is how you can begin:

1. Get in touch with at Aspire Counseling  to setup your first appointment.

2. Get connected with a skilled anxiety therapist for teenagers.

3. Let us help you heal and thrive in counseling for caregivers in Columbia, MO.

Other Mental Health Services at Aspire Counseling 

Trauma and PTSD therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy are not the only services we offer at our Columbia, MO clinic. Other mental health services that Aspire Counseling provides include anxiety treatment, depression counseling, counseling for college students, counseling for caregivers, grief counseling, counseling for adults, LGBTQIA+ affirming counseling, DBT, trauma therapy for children and teens, counseling for sexual assault survivors, and online therapy. Contact us today!