Social Self-Care Ideas to Prevent Feeling Isolated
Prioritizing self-care is essential for maintaining our overall health and wellness. But as a caregiver to your loved one, putting others first could mean you are neglecting your own needs.
We want family caregivers like you to remember that your own well-being is just as important as your caregiving responsibilities. And one of the best ways to practice self-care is by connecting with those you love. Try different ways to practice social self-care to build your reserves and help you feel less isolated.
Why Are Social Self-Care Activities Important?
Even though we all have different levels of need for connectedness to others, all humans – including introverts – are innately social and need connection to thrive!
Maintaining healthy social connections with friends and family yields many emotional and psychological benefits. It’s vital for combating loneliness, dealing with stress, and just having fun! These are all essential for seeing you through difficult times and also staying in touch with the light-hearted parts of your life.
5 Social Self-Care Activities
We reached out to FFDA followers, the clinical advisory board, volunteers, staff, interns, friends, and family to build this list of social self-care activities you can weave into your daily life.
Let us know which ones brightened your day the most!
- Call a close friend: With or without video, there’s nothing like having a good chat with a trusted and supportive friend to feel refreshed, uplifted, and supported.
- Meet up with a friend for a walk and talk: Connect emotionally and stay active at the same time (great for your physical self-care).
- Join an online support group: Sometimes, having others who can relate to your struggles and triumphs as a caregiver can be a great support system. They understand what you’re going through and you can share experiences to learn from each other about how to navigate caregiver responsibilities.
- Pair up with a friend for a fun activity: When you just need to take your mind off things, doing something fun and playful can help as a stress-reliever. You can play online games, go on a virtual tour, or meet up for a fitness or hobby class together. The possibilities are endless!
- Play with your pet: Our pets can be a great source of healing and support when we’re feeling down or just want to have fun. They’re always there to listen and be present when you need a cuddle. Seek your pet(s) out on purpose, spend some quality time together, and savor the feelings you experience.
Connect With Others to Care for Yourself
Committing to some regular social activities for your own wellness can be difficult as a caregiver. But it’s important to dedicate time to yourself. You need emotional, psychological, and social recharging for your own well-being. Do so, and you’ll come back more refreshed and prepared for your next set of caregiving challenges
Additional Resources
- Do you know how much stress you are holding? Take our quick Caregiver Stress Test and you will be matched with self-care strategies to support your level of stress.
- Feeling stressed? Learn more ways to create mini moments of self-care in your everyday life in this 60-minute video. Subscribe to our YouTube channel if you want to receive more resources like this!
- Like the play with your pet idea? Learn 5 Ways Your Dog Can Decrease Depression Symptoms and Promote Wellness.