Caregiver Wellness - Body Health
“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God with your body.”
( 1 Corinthians 6:;19-20, LEB )
The Body is Sacred
While the specific context of this statement by the Apostle Paul is sexual immorality, there is a larger principle he is tapping into that makes this relevant beyond just conversations about sex. Our bodies are sacred. How we treat our bodies matters. It ultimately boils down to a question of stewardship. Our bodies were designed, crafted, and entrusted to us by the One who created us - masterfully, purposefully, and with the most intricate care. If we “dump on” our bodies, so to speak, we don’t just incur unfortunate physiological consequences, but we dishonor the one who made us for His purposes. Paul tells us our “body is the temple of the Holy Spirit”.
As a follower of Christ, His Spirit “abides” within me. It is a crazy, unthinkable, mysterious yet beautiful spiritual truth. How, I’ll never know (apart from all the churchy theological explanations). But fantastically, because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and following bodily resurrection, He ripped through a curtain of reality that makes such an amazing proposition possible - “Christ within me”. THIS is why your body is sacred.
This is meant as both a challenge and an encouragement - because we caregivers tend to be very bad about caring for our bodies. It’s understandable that when you have someone dependent on you, and their needs are constant and unrelenting, you quickly sacrifice your own health. It seems much less important (and you feel guilty caring about it) when someone you care about is experiencing health and cognitive decline.
I know this, because it’s exactly what I did for about 4 years. I felt guilty thinking about fitness, wellness and proper diet when I had multiple people depending on me who were in constant medical and mental crisis. I wish “past Jeremy” could take a rebuke from “future Jeremy” and get his health rightly prioritized. More than a year out of the intense part of that journey, and I’m still trying to recover my health and some of the persistent issues that developed because I ignored it.
Does my health really matter?
Apart from the spiritual reasons I clumsily laid out at the beginning, let me provide a couple practical reasons why caring for your bodily health should be a priority:
Your loved one deserves the best you.
If you’ve ever listened to the safety presentation at the beginning of an airline trip, you’ll remember that you’re told if you are traveling with a child or dependent and the air masks deploy, you should get your mask in place first, and then see to your child’s mask. At first, this sounds kind of self-centered, but if you think about it, it’s sound advice. How can you help your dependents if you’re passed out?!
It’s exactly the same principle at play with family caregiving. There are stories (many, in fact) of family caregivers who have died of stroke, heart attack, or other preventable medical crises while in the midst of caring for a loved one. You must put your health first, for their sake.
They may not understand your decisions to prioritize exercise, diet, and wellness breaks. They may even make you feel guilty, depending on the dynamics of your relationship. But, it’s ok. They don’t need to understand. You need to understand that they need the best you.
Your mental and spiritual health also depend on your bodily health.
This is something I don’t see talked about often in Christian circles. There is a very powerful connection (mind-body, body-soul, whatever you want to call it) between your physical health and your mental health. There are countless studies that prove the correlation. There is also a powerful connection between your bodily wellness and your spiritual wellness! Remember 1 Corinthians 6:19-20? I bet you didn’t realize the Apostle Paul was the first proponent for true wholistic wellness! How we treat our bodies reflects our relationship to the Lord. If we think He is harsh, uncaring, or indifferent, we can be pretty abusive to ourselves. If we believe Him to be the Good, generous, just, loving and kind God that He is, Who lives within our body - our physiological realm - we tend to want to treat ourselves better. As we should.
Sometimes health complications arise outside our influence or control. We can make all the right health decisions and still experience debilitating physical setbacks or loss. This doesn’t reflect on you, nor does it reflect on God’s tremendous love and care for you. We live in a fallen and corrupt world where we are promised by Jesus that we “will face troubles”. But He has “overcome the world”, and is no less resident within you when your body is weak and breaking down, than He is when you are healthy and fit.
But whatever your current physical state, the truth still stands - how you treat your own body matters, because it matters to God.
Practical Tips
Fortunately, if you are a family caregiver, you are not alone on this journey. There are possibly millions of family caregivers out there and a number of great support resources to help you practically get your health prioritized - because it’s not easy! These are some quick tips from some of those resources. These are meant mostly to be signposts and guides. I’d recommend taking a deeper look into each associated resource to see if it has other suggestions relevant to your particular situation. It can be overwhelming to try to sort through lots of research, so here’s your first practical tip:
Take it one recommendation at a time - one day at a time (or one week at a time!)
Don’t fall victim to “analysis paralysis”. Just take one step… and then the next…. And then the next.See the doctor
“Be sure to visit your physician regularly (at least annually), and listen to what your body is telling you. Any exhaustion, stress, sleeplessness, or changes in appetite or behavior should be taken seriously. Ignoring these symptoms can cause your physical and mental health to decline.”
( Be a Healthy Caregiver - ALZ.org )Seek support from other caregivers
“One of the most valuable resources for family caregivers is connecting with others in similar situations. Seek support from other caregivers through online communities and support groups. Sharing experiences and advice with fellow caregivers can provide emotional relief and practical tips for managing caregiving challenges.” Other caregivers have also experienced their own health challenges and can share tips and aids that have helped them maintain good health.
( Caregiver Action Network - Tips for Caregivers )Buy healthy snacks!
“Caregivers are usually so busy taking care of others, they don’t think about what they’re eating. While it’s easy to go grab a slice of pizza or make a pit stop at McDonald’s, a little preparation the night before can help nip bad habits in the bud. Add peanut butter to celery sticks, grab a baggie of bran cereal, bring along some string cheese and grapes or an apple. These are easy to make and place in sandwich bags the night before, so at least when you grab something to eat, it’s a little healthier than before.”
( Today's Caregiver - the Stay Healthy Checklist )Excercise whenever possible!
“I know this seems like the most difficult thing to fit into your schedule, but it is one of the best ways to stay fit and energized. If you can take a small walk around your neighborhood, even with your loved one, it can make a big difference. You can also do small exercises while at home – lunges, sit-ups, and even stretching can keep you energized throughout the day. You can even do exercises with your loved one, as long as it is safe for them.”
( Today's Caregiver - the Stay Healthy Checklist )Ask for and accept offers of help
“Make a list of ways others can help you. Let helpers choose what they would like to do. For instance, someone might sit with the person you care for while you do an errand. Someone else might pick up groceries for you.”
( OASH - What can I do to relieve caregiver stress? )Take respite breaks
“Caregiving can be overwhelming, so taking respite breaks regularly is important. These breaks can help prevent burnout and give you time to recharge. Schedule time for yourself to engage in activities that you enjoy and that help you relax.”
( Caregiver Action Network - Tips for Caregivers )
These are just a few tips, but ones that have a significant impact on your resilience and your overall bodily, emotional, mental and spiritual health. In our next blog topic, we’ll dive into psychological and emotional health specifically, and how you can give these areas of your life the TLC they desperately need.
For now, remember that first piece of advice - don’t get “stuck”. Take one step at a time, and then the next, and then the next. As you make progress, even in the smallest increments, you gain momentum and it becomes easier to establish those disciplines you need to get and stay healthy. You can do this!
