Look After Yourself
Look after your own health
Make sure you register as a Carer with your GP practice; you can ask to speak to the Carer Champion at your practice. A Carer Champion is a member of the practice staff who coordinates the identification and support of carers within that practice. They will act as a voice for carers within the practice and be a key point of contact for carer information within the general practice which they work.
Don’t neglect concerns with your own health, you need to stay well to enable you to continue to support your cared for.
https://www.england.nhs.uk/supporting-our-nhs-people/support-now/wellbeing-apps/
Eat well
Shortage of time and rising food costs both can make preparing meals a challenge.
There are various websites with ideas for quick, cheap and healthy recipes. Look out for the recipes in our monthly newsletter
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/quick-and-healthy-recipes
https://www.nhs.uk/healthier-families/recipes/
Try to relax
Caring can be really stressful. Taking time to relax and recharge is vital.
Take a look at the NHS every mind matters page for some great tips on looking after your mental health.
https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/
Other ideas:
- If you can afford it, why not book a mobile massage therapist to visit
Take regular breaks
Daily Breaks: Try and build regular breaks into your day. Use this time to sit down with a cup of tea and a book, take a short walk, do some gardening or whatever it is that you enjoy.
Contact us to support you in finding a Micro-provider. Micro-providers provide essential paid for support for people, whether its respite for you as a Carer, or more bespoke service.
Short Breaks: Short breaks give Carers, and the people they for, the opportunity to “recharge their batteries’. These breaks can be known as ‘respite care’.
A Short break allows you to take a break whilst the person you care for is still looked after. There are several ways for this to happen. Micro-providers could offer an increased package of home care support which may include temporary night care, or a short break in a care home.
https://choices.somerset.gov.uk/025/social-care/carers/short-breaks-for-carers/
Be active
Research by Carers UK found that where carers were able to be active, they were also less lonely. Other benefits of being active included increased life satisfaction and decreased anxiety.
https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/coronavirus-covid-19/keeping-active-and-well
The Get Outside in Somerset website has lots of really great ideas to help you enjoy the outdoors, visit https://getoutsideinsomerset.co.uk/
Get enough sleep
We all know how difficult it is to get through the day when you have not had enough sleep. Carers UK has some great tips on getting a good amount of sleep
https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/health/looking-after-your-health/getting-enough-sleep
Talk to others
Sharing your worries and experiences with family members is not always easy. You may feel guilty if you have negative thoughts or feel impatient with your cared for. These thoughts are natural and sharing them with other Carers, for example at Carers Groups can be helpful. Click here to find a group near you: https://somersetcarers.org/carers-groups/
If you feel you need something more Somerset Talking Therapies, offer the opportunity for carers or family members to learn some new skills to help reduce the emotional impact your caring role can have on you.
https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/somerset-talking-therapies/families-carers/
Other numbers you can call 24/7 are:
Mindline: 0800 138 1692 or 01823 276 892
Somerset County Council Help in a crisis service Call: 0300 123 2224