An important topic for eating disorder caregivers to consider is their own emotions. Below, we discuss three tips to help people address their feelings during the challenges of caregiving.
Three Tips to Help Caregivers Consider Their Emotions
As we’ve said time and time again, family members, especially those also serving as caregivers, play a vital role in a loved one’s treatment and recovery. During this trying time, self-care is non-negotiable. One simple way to take care of yourself is to practice self-awareness by recognizing and accepting how you’re feeling at different points in time.
Here are three tips to help caregivers assess and address their emotions:
First, identify your feelings at this exact moment. You will better handle your emotional state if you recognize it without judgment.
Now, it’s time to accept those feelings. For each emotion that you identify, say the following statement out loud: “I accept being ______.”
Lastly, ask yourself, “Is this emotion serving me and my loved ones?”
Caregivers and/or family members often suffer in isolation — but they don’t have to! There are so many helpful resources available, including one-on-one coaching with a healthcare professional, group therapy sessions, and our three-part webinar.
HUG Kits for Eating Disorder Caregivers
As another simple and cost-effective form of support, Recovery Roadmap Specialist (RRS) Becky Henry created the Hope Understanding and Guidance (HUG) Kit that contains three life-changing resources to help you become a calm, compassionate, and confident caregiver. They include:
A copy of her book Just Tell Her to Stop: Family Stories of Eating Disorders
The links to 10 videos that serve as essential and powerful tools for coping
A PDF guidebook that builds on the videos to help you develop written plans to take action and move forward
This month, we’re excited to giveaway a HUG Kit to one Instagram follower of @coachbeckyhenry and @recoveryroadmapspecialists! To enter the giveaway:
Like the Instagram post for this blog on both accounts.
Share one of the posts to your Stories.
Comment on one post and tell us: What is your favorite self-care activity?
*For an extra entry, share and comment on both posts!
The giveaway closes on Saturday, July 31st at noon EST. We’ll announce the winner on both of the original Instagram posts. Good luck!
If you need help as you navigate caring for a loved one with an eating disorder, the Recovery Roadmap Series can serve as your guidebook! Reach out with any questions.
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