By Jennifer Carter
When someone you live with is suffering from depression, it's easy for the attention of both friends, family & the medical profession to be focused very much on them. Often little thought is given to the difficult role played by those close to them in living with and supporting someone who is depressed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
One thing that's very important to learn and remember is that you can only help them and give care and support if you, yourself, are in good shape, both mentally and physically. Here's three simple tips for helping to retain your sanity through difficult times of supporting a loved one:-
Spend Time With Friends
This is one time that you need to keep in touch with your friends. Even if you can't get out much to see them, try and make a conscious effort to pick up the phone and chat with both friends and family.
Ask For & Accept Help
Asking for help can be very difficult for some people. If you need help with the day to day tasks, you may be surprised to find that people are often very willing to help. Even asking someone to babysit so that you can have a precious evening out can help restore perspective and reduce the level of stress for just a short time. If you find that you are struggling to cope yourself, don't be afraid to seek medical advice.
Make Time For Yourself
Try and find time for some things you enjoy, whether that's walking, reading, sewing, finding a half an hour can give you a well deserved break away from your stressful supporting role.
If you're continually helping others, you'll soon find you have nothing left to give, so it's important to try and look after yourself, as well as you can. Whenever you find yourself making excuses not to, remember that you need to "be kind to yourself" in order to help anyone else.
When someone you live with is suffering from depression, it's easy for the attention of both friends, family & the medical profession to be focused very much on them. Often little thought is given to the difficult role played by those close to them in living with and supporting someone who is depressed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
One thing that's very important to learn and remember is that you can only help them and give care and support if you, yourself, are in good shape, both mentally and physically. Here's three simple tips for helping to retain your sanity through difficult times of supporting a loved one:-
Spend Time With Friends
This is one time that you need to keep in touch with your friends. Even if you can't get out much to see them, try and make a conscious effort to pick up the phone and chat with both friends and family.
Ask For & Accept Help
Asking for help can be very difficult for some people. If you need help with the day to day tasks, you may be surprised to find that people are often very willing to help. Even asking someone to babysit so that you can have a precious evening out can help restore perspective and reduce the level of stress for just a short time. If you find that you are struggling to cope yourself, don't be afraid to seek medical advice.
Make Time For Yourself
Try and find time for some things you enjoy, whether that's walking, reading, sewing, finding a half an hour can give you a well deserved break away from your stressful supporting role.
If you're continually helping others, you'll soon find you have nothing left to give, so it's important to try and look after yourself, as well as you can. Whenever you find yourself making excuses not to, remember that you need to "be kind to yourself" in order to help anyone else.
Jen Carter has been writing for over five years. Her latest website on full spectrum lamps & lighting explores how light therapy boxes may be able to help sufferers of SAD (seasonal affective disorder).
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Carter
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