Why Self-Care Isn’t Selfish: It’s Necessary.
Caring for a kiddo after a traumatic medical intervention takes an incredible amount of strength, resilience, and energy. While navigating this new normal, take moments to pause. You may find that you have been forgoing meeting your own needs. In these moments, self-care can feel like a luxury you can’t afford, but it’s also most definitely necessary. Self-care, in fact, is one of the greatest gifts you can give to yourself and the others around you.
After an ICU experience, it’s normal to feel like you’re always on go mode or on high alert, overthinking small changes, having anxiety or finding it hard to fully relax. That kind of constant awareness comes from the deep level of love and care you hold within, but it can also lead to exhaustion. During this time, it is important to pause and remind yourself that you deserve to take moments for self-care, now more than ever.
Taking care of yourself doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. It can look like taking a few quiet minutes to breathe, stepping outside for fresh air, or letting yourself sit down without feeling guilt. You are doing enough. Take a quick moment to remind yourself that you’re strong, capable, and worthy. Provide yourself or ask others to help remind you to give yourself gentle reminders that you’re doing your best, and that is enough. Consider taking time to write yourself reminders of encouragement that you can turn back to in times of overwhelm. These moments of self-care might not seem like much, but they all add up. How you talk to yourself is important. You deserve recognition for how hard the experience is. An easy tip is to treat yourself like you would your best friend. What would you say to your best friend if they were in your position? Most likely, you would be supportive and offer care.
In The Caregiver’s Cup Podcast (Spotify, Apple), they mention that “you can’t pour from an empty cup,” a reminder that your physical and mental well-being are connected to your ability to care for yourself and others. Every small moment of self-care adds up! Give yourself credit for taking time for you.
It’s also important to remember that you’ve been through a lot, too. Even when your focus has been on your child, your experience matters. You deserve moments of rest, support, and recognition. It can be hard to jump into self-care when it feels foreign or confusing. The podcast, Self-Caregiving Strategies, has structured advice and guidance on where to start (episode 11 features amazing ideas). Having a guide on how to take care of yourself can decrease the barrier in navigating self-care amid one of the most overwhelming times in your life.
The need for personal self-care does not end after your child is discharged from the hospital. Alongside Network was founded just for this reason. Wellbeing Groups are offered to parents and caregivers to help navigate life back at home. The groups provide coping skills, community, and a space where your story isn’t too much. To join a group, complete the interest form and schedule your introduction call with our team. You deserve the support of others who get what you are going through.
Written by: Anna Knaus