Being a caregiver for a friend, family member, or loved one who has been diagnosed with lung cancer can be rewarding. It can also be confusing and stressful. For many, caregiving means adding many additional responsibilities onto already busy schedules. Most people who find themselves in the role of a caregiver have a close relationship with the person who needs care. As such, it is common for the experience to be profoundly emotional.
These factors leave many caregivers feeling exhausted both physically and mentally. If you are a caregiver, it's equally important to care for yourself. Here are a few strategies to keep in mind.
Be realistic
Know your strengths and limits, and focus on those things you can control. Let go of mistakes and put your energy into the things that matter. If you are caring for someone with cancer, recognize that this disease rarely follows a predictable progression. As best as you can, be prepared for the unexpected.
Have a plan to avoid burnout
The state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion that caregivers can find themselves in is so common that it has been termed “caregiver burnout.” While it’s likely impossible to avoid the stress and turbulent emotions of caregiving altogether, it is possible to have a plan in place to manage these emotions. Here are some steps that may help:
Work out
Regular exercise has a range of benefits, including relieving stress and improving sleep. If you don’t have time for the gym or a sport, put aside time to take a walk on most days or find an activity or workout that can be accomplished in the amounts of time you have. Even a 15-minute brisk walk can help.
Eat well
Finding time to prepare meals might seem impossible. On some days, it may even seem like a tall order to simply sit down to eat. Stock up on healthy snacks that help you hit your daily intake of fruits, vegetables, fiber, protein, and other nutrients. Having a plan can help you avoid relying on sugary drinks and candy, salty snacks, and fast food.
Make time for you
This could be something as simple as taking ten minutes to read a book, go for a walk, call a friend, or play with your pet. Knowing that this break is in the near future can make it easier to cope with the stressful points in the day.
Stay in touch
Many caregivers fall into a kind of tunnel vision. Days and weeks seem to disappear as you move from one task to the next, balancing caregiving with everything else that life demands. Set reminders to keep in touch with friends and family, even if it just means sending a quick message.
Take advantage of help
You don’t have to do everything on your own. Ask for help—and say yes when people offer help. This can help you stay healthier and help the person you are caring for feel less guilty about the strain of caregiving.
If you don't have friends or family who can take on tasks or responsibilities, look into community resources. Respite care services can provide helpers who will spend time with the person you care for. This can free you to rest, see friends, run errands, or otherwise enjoy a brief break.
There are also support groups for caregivers. Support groups offer an opportunity to connect with other caregivers, ask for advice, find sympathetic listeners, share experiences, and build social connections. You can find support groups through local hospitals, in social media groups, and through websites such as caregiver.org and cancercare.org.
