What are you doing to yourself? Why are you searching natural cures for the caretaker? You would never let anyone in your care feel so overwhelmed. You would be right there to help them. As a natural caretaker, you support everything your loved ones do. Sometimes you even get carried away and do the work for them. You enable them to rely on you. You are a champion of causes. Are any of those causes yours? You should be every bit as diligent in meeting your own needs as you are at meeting the needs of others. What do you want out of life? Go out there and make it happen, just like you do for everyone else. Self care is one of the best natural cures for the caregiver.
Rest, Refuel and Rejuvenate
For heavens sake, take care of your physical and mental well being. If you are letting yourself go in order to be a caretaker for others, there is a real problem. You wouldn’t let your children go for years without medical care. Why are you doing this to yourself? Get to those annual check ups. If you’re feeling blue, see a professional. Cavities? Get them taken care of. Get plenty of good nutrition, exercise and rest. It’s OK to put yourself first as a natural cure. You are the most important person in your life. After all, what would anyone else do without you?
Delegate
See that it gets done, just by someone else. Caretakers have a habit of taking over the responsibilities of others. You want to make sure the job is done and done right. Maybe you think that can only happen with you at the helm. Maybe you believe that if you want something done right you have to do it yourself. Well, first of all, get down off that high horse of yours. Nobody is perfect and that includes you. Secondly, use your natural urge to take over. Delegate the task at hand to the one who owns it. Delegation works with, rather than against, your caretaker tendencies as a natural cure.
Get a Hobby
Take your mind off the problems of others by getting some interests of your own. That’s a nice way of saying, “Quit sticking your nose in where it doesn’t belong and get a life!” I have caretaker tendencies myself. I’ve found my best cure involves occupying myself with my own needs, wants and responsibilities. I’m not selfish. I do help out from time to time. My calendar is just too full to be worrying about the responsibilities of others any more. I have better things to do. For instance, right now, I have an appointment with a tub full of soothing herbs and a good book. Talk about great natural cures!
Put the Blame Where it Belongs
So, the house is a wreck. That doesn’t mean it’s on you. The best way to take a load off your shoulders is by insisting others take care of their own messes. This includes psychological messes. Stop blaming yourself for the shortcomings of those around you. Make it their problem by not lifting that burden onto your shoulders in the first place. Get out that proverbial stick, draw your line in the sand and dare anyone to cross it. Making others own their faults and burdens is the end result of all these natural cures for the caretaker.
