A Delicate Balance: Caring for Yourself While Caring for Others

What is Caregiver Burnout?

Caregiver burnout, also known as caregiver burden or caregiver stress, is mental, physical and/or emotional exhaustion that can occur while caring for another person; unfortunately it is  often overlooked. When we become so focused on caring for another individual, we may forget to address  our own self-care until it becomes a weight that feels impossible to bear. Caregiver burden often takes the form of depression, anxiety, or poor physical health which can lead to overall lower quality of life. 

Do I Have Caregiver Burnout?

Identifying your need for help in dealing with caregiver burden can be done with the help of a mental health professional, but it starts with self-awareness. As frequently as you check in on the person you care for, check in with yourself. If you start to notice an increase in feelings of overwhelming stress, lack of control over primary emotions, or an overall decrease in quality of life, it may be time to talk to reach out for support. This is not a bad thing! Mental health professionals are ready and willing to help you pack your personal tool box with the techniques to help you, help yourself. 

How Do You Cope with Caregiver Burnout? 

Self-care is priority one and there are a variety of ways in which to engage. Self-care is necessary for your own physical and mental health to recharge your energy. When you are tasked with caring for others, especially after a physical injury, self-care becomes even more important. If you do not take care of yourself, it can be difficult to care for others. Connecting with others. Caring for others can be lonely, but you are most definitely not alone. Finding a support group near you is a great way to connect with others who are going through similar situations.  

Caring for yourself while caring for others is a delicate balance, but not impossible with the right tools. 

Laura Travagiakis, MA, t-LMFT

Because Life is All About Connections

Life Connections provides in-home Behavioral Health Intervention services, Therapy services, autism (ABA) services and Children’s Mental Health waiver services in our 13 office locations and approved schools across Iowa. Life Connections was founded in March of 2009 with the intent to serve the children and families of Cedar Rapids and surrounding cities.

Life Connections is a highly professional and caring counseling and behavioral health provider. We offer a wide array of services to treat mental health issues including Applied Behavior Analysis Services,  Behavioral Health Intervention Services, mental health therapy, school-based therapy programs, and substance use treatment.

For more information, please call 319-409-6922. 

Resources:

• National Suicide Prevention Hotline 800-273-8255

• Crisis Text line text to 741741
• The Trevor Project – for LGBTQ+ young adult community 866-488-7386

• Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network 800-656-4673