Why Caregivers Need a Support System

If the past year of navigating the pandemic and the increased isolation it has necessitated have taught us anything, it’s the importance of keeping a strong support system that includes family, friends, and, when appropriate, professional assistance. 

People are not meant to “go it alone,” and that truth becomes even more apparent in times of stress and upheaval. 
Caregivers in particular need other people in order to recharge their emotional batteries and relieve the stress that naturally arises from caring for other people, especially those living with illness. 

The pandemic has changed the ways we are able to get together, but that doesn’t mean that you have to try to “tough things out” on your own. 

When it’s not safe or appropriate to meet in-person, there are still plenty of other ways your support system can play a role in your life, from running errands and performing chores to making phone calls and scheduling appointments. You can also connect virtually through texting, video chats, email, and social media.

Asking for help

It’s common for caregivers to try to shoulder as much as they possibly can on their own and avoid asking for help. This instinct comes from a good place—a generous and helpful nature is often what leads one to become a caregiver—but that doesn’t make it any less damaging. Caregivers will keep taking on more and more and more until it’s too late and they face burnout or a breakdown. It’s important to stop things before they get to this point, and this is where asking for help becomes crucial. 

Your support system is there to help you, so the next time someone offers to take something off your place, resist the urge to say “No, thanks, I’ve got it.” Accept the help and remember that you can’t give from an empty cup.