It is my pleasure to host this guest post from author Christian Worstell on the subject of compassionate caregiving. Can compassion in caring be taught and learned? Or, is it a talent that is either in us, or not? Read on.
Photo
Credit: Pexels
What do you think of when you hear the
word care? Do you instantly think of
compassion, or do you think of physically taking care of someone? For me personally, care and compassion go
hand in hand. But unfortunately, it’s not that simple.
Caregiving can be extremely
challenging and frustrating at times. The journey of caring is not an easy one
and
it’s completely normal to feel burned out. As tempting as it may be to feel
guilty or embarrassed, it is important to understand that you’re making a huge
difference in someone’s life. Your feelings are real and valid, and odds are
you don’t give yourself enough credit for your hard work.
So when you’re questioning your purpose
or feeling worn down as a caregiver, I challenge you to think back to why you
do it. It isn’t always a choice, but here you are doing what so many are scared
of.
The thing is, you can’t provide adequate
care without compassion. Compassion is essential to caregiving; it involves
showing understanding and appreciation for others feelings and emotions.
Without compassion, caregiving can be counterproductive.
Research shows that
compassionate interaction with doctors can affect healing. In fact, having a
connection can actually stimulate self-healing techniques.
It’s no secret that a little compassion
can go a long way, but it’s important to note that expressing compassion can have a positive
effect on caregivers, too. When you add compassion to caregiving, a true bond
can be formed. And this can make being a caregiver a lot easier.
So instead of turning to a self-deprecating
mindset, be proactive and utilize skills that you can learn to improve yourself
as a caregiver. I know this is easier said than done, but there are some simple
steps you can take each day to implement compassion into your caregiving
routine.
Use good
listening skills
Sometimes we get caught up and we don’t
properly listen. We only half listen
or don’t listen at all. Developing good listening skills can help you build
compassion in your role.
Practice
mindfulness
Learning to have more compassion really
involves making the shift to
assume the best in others. And that’s an amazing skill to have. Make mindfulness a
priority, and always give the benefit of the doubt. This skill may benefit you
in other aspects of your life, too.
Avoid
biases
It’s normal for us to make assumptions,
but try your hardest to fight them. Biases can really interfere with your
ability to express compassion.
Make eye
contact
We’re so busy that sometimes we forget
how meaningful simple eye contact can be. Make it a priority to make eye
contact from time to time. It can really help to form a connection with your
patient.
Pay
attention to your body language
Sometimes our body language doesn’t match
our words. Be conscious of this, and practice compassionate body language.
Familiarize
yourself with caregiver burnout
Learn the symptoms of
caregiver burnout and seek help if you feel you are experiencing it. Please
make your mental and physical health a priority so that you can be at the top
of your caregiving game.
Consider
compassion training
Compassion training for health
professionals is a real thing. Do some research on it and see if
it’s a good fit for you.
As a caregiver, there are so many things you have to
keep up with — medications, your loved one’s health insurance, doctors’
appointments and more. Showing compassion is not at the top of the list, but
try to make it.
Remember that the best caregivers are the one who do
just that — care. Keep this in mind on your caregiving
journey and continue making a difference. You are appreciated more than you
know.
Author Bio:
Christian Worstell is a health and wellness writer living in Raleigh, North
Carolina.
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