When Mitzi Perez began caring for her father at 25, she had no idea how it would change her life, relationships, and bond with her dad for the next 8 years.

Mitzi’s father lives with ALS — a neurodegenerative disease affecting the brain and spinal cord. As he continues to live independently in an apartment, Mitzi’s father is regularly visited by his daughter for some help with everyday tasks. After years of caring for her father, Mitzi now gives advice on how to take care of yourself while you care for others, and this month, we were able to sit down with her to hear about her experience first-hand.

You ARE a Caregiver

“For a while, I didn’t realize I was a caregiver,” Mitzi shared. “It doesn’t matter if you’re full-time or have help, if you are taking care of someone, you are a caregiver.”

Coming to this important realization can help in finding others that share your experiences. Caregiving is a form of work that, though often unpaid, requires a lot of time, physical and emotional energy, and knowledge to be done properly. We’ve linked some of the resources that Mitzi recommended here.

Take time for yourself

In a profession where it can be easy to prioritize caring for another person over yourself, it is especially important to carve out time for yourself.

Before the coronavirus pandemic, Mitzi admittedly neglected her social life, but now that most social gatherings have been put on hold, she wishes she had done more while she could. “I regret not spending time with my friends or going out because of being too tired,” she said. After years of being single, she’s also looking forward to making an effort to date after the pandemic.

Fitness is another important part of taking care of yourself. Mitzi is a licensed personal trainer and yoga instructor. “I was never into sports growing up,” Mitzi shared. “People always told me yoga changed their life, so I tried it and fell in love with it.”

Mitzi also enjoyed taking a bootcamp class, similar to crossfit. “I love lifting heavy. Taking those classes are what made me fall in love with fitness, and I felt stronger both physically and mentally. It made me feel like I could conquer anything.”

When you’re caring for someone, it’s important to understand that taking time for yourself is not selfish and will actually make you a better caregiver.

“I’ve learned how to say ‘no’ to my Dad. You can’t function being constantly on the go, setting boundaries is really important.”

Create a morning routine

Having your own morning routine is a great way to start the day in a positive mindset while having some time to yourself.

“I started waking up earlier, I would make coffee and read or listen to a podcast,” shared Mitzi. “I don’t have to rush in the morning and it gives me time to slow down and be with myself.”

This change can also help you be a better caregiver. “My mind was in a better place, I was able to enjoy being with my dad even more.”

Prioritizing your sleep and going to bed early is another great way to help your body reset and feel refreshed and energized during the day. “I got a new mattress, a new alarm clock that lights up like a sun, anything that could help me with my sleep, I did,” she said.

Make a schedule

“My calendar in my phone is my bible,” shared Mitzi. “Everything goes in the calendar, and if it doesn’t, I’m 100% going to forget.”

Whether you prefer a physical calendar or one on your phone, it’s a great way to keep on top of all of the moving parts in your life. If you have siblings or family members that you share your caregiving responsibilities with, choosing dates that everyone is responsible for can prevent conflict and help you plan ahead.

Therapy, therapy, therapy!

“I always tell my therapist that she was worth every penny because she changed my life.”

Therapy not only allows you to express how you’re feeling to someone, therapists can provide you with healthy ways to manage stress, cope with grief, and deal with the strained relationships in your life. If therapy isn’t an option, look for therapeutic or mindfulness resources that can help you prioritize your mental health.

Find relevant organizations and resources. Along with organizations that support caregivers and aging adults, there are also groups dedicated to diseases like Alzheimer’s, dementia, cancer, ALS, Parkinson’s, and more.

These organizations can help connect you with others, give you helpful information for caring for someone with that disease, prepare you for what to expect as the disease progresses, and provide you with funding opportunities.

Find relevant organizations and resources

Along with organizations that support caregivers and aging adults, there are also groups dedicated to diseases like Alzheimer’s, dementia, cancer, ALS, Parkinson’s, and more.

These organizations can help connect you with others, give helpful information on caring for someone with that disease, prepare you for what to expect as the disease progresses, and provide you with funding opportunities.

Find a community

It can be difficult to find people in your life that understand what being a caregiver is like, especially if you find yourself caring for someone at a relatively young age. Mitzi started a blog and Instagram titled Caregivers Need Some Care Too as a way to write what she was feeling, but it led to her connecting with other caregivers.

“We check in on each other, send packages to each other, a few of them I interact with regularly,” said Mitzi.

The good news is that you don’t have to start a blog to find people. Facebook groups are a great way to meet caregivers. You can also find a support group in your area or try other social media platforms to find a community. When you’re feeling physically and emotionally drained, having a supportive group of people you can vent to can go a long way in reminding you that you’re not alone.

When you are caring for someone you love, it’s easy to neglect your own personal needs for the needs of your person, but caring for yourself will make you a better caregiver. Remember to set boundaries, make time for self-care, prioritize your mental and physical health, allow yourself to have a social life, and find other people you can relate to. Caregivers need some care too.

Self-Care Tips From A Millennial Caregiver