There are 91.3 million caregivers in the United States and, of them, 14.3 million care for a wounded, ill or injured service member or veteran. These military and veteran caregivers are the spouses, partners, parents, family members, friends, neighbors and loved ones who provide countless hours of care, often invisible and unpaid, to their caregiver. Many have sacrificed their careers, education and health to prioritize the needs of their loved ones.
November is National Family Caregivers Month, but we know that caregivers give a lot to support the well-being of their loved ones all year long. We know from our most recent research on military and veteran caregivers that caregiving puts significant strain on caregivers’ mental health. Caregivers often put their own needs before those of the person caring for them, which can lead to burnout, stress, and other consequences for mental well-being. Below are some tips to help caregivers nurture their own mental well-being, today, this month, and throughout their care journey.
Nurture and develop the parts of your identity that make you feel like you.
Who were you before becoming a caregiver? Caring for someone can be all-consuming and leave little room for personal goals, interests, and self-expression. Take time to reflect on your values and identify the components of your pre-caregiving identity that brought you fulfillment, passion, and joy.
Embrace the full spectrum of big emotions.
Caring is emotional. Offer yourself compassion as you experience powerful, complex, and seemingly conflicting emotions at the same time. Explore tools and outlets to process these feelings, from journaling, meditating, and simply unplugging to talking with a trusted friend, family member, or mental health professional.
Establish a peer-to-peer connection with someone who just gets it.
The experience of caring for a loved one can be isolating. It may be useful connect with fellow caregivers who have similar lived experiences, both in person and virtually. Establishing a peer connection creates a feeling of inclusion and the opportunity for someone to reach out and check on you.
Find time to intentionally nourish yourself.
It often seems like there are not enough hours in the day to care for your loved one and attend to all of your other daily responsibilities. Intentionally nurturing yourself will allow you to maintain your care and commitment to those around you. Consider incorporating self-care into your daily routine, such as listening to an audiobook or your favorite music while walking the dog or doing housework. Give yourself permission to delegate tasks or intentionally do nothing.
Connect to trusted military and veteran care resources.
There are a number of resources across the country to help caregivers, but sometimes it can be overwhelming to navigate this wealth of information. If you’re not sure where to start, check out the Elizabeth Dole Foundation website. Family Resource Centeroffering vetted resources for military and veteran caregiver families, or connect with our Resource navigation team for 1:1 orientation.
Taking time to care for yourself takes practice. For more ideas on how to care for yourself while caring for those around you, check out the Elizabeth Dole Foundation article. Caregiver Mental Wellbeing Framework. If you are looking to connect with fellow military and veteran caregivers in a safe and structured virtual space to develop a greater understanding of your mental well-being, consider joining a virtual group. Mental well-being workshop for caregivers or care group.
.png)
