Looking after yourself
Here are some hints and tips to help you look after yourself.
REMEMBER - Don’t sacrifice your own mental health for somebody else’s. To be able to help somebody you love, you need to be able to feel well enough in yourself to give your all to the person you are looking after.
Stay connected
With your responsibilities as a young carer, it’s understandable that you worry about your family. Sometimes, this can lead to stress, low mood and sleeping problems.
So, if you’re starting to feel this way or have done so for some time, talk to someone you trust, like a friend, sibling, teacher or your young carers keyworker.
Don’t bottle things up. It’s okay to blow off steam with a friend or relative and talk things over with someone. If you don’t want to speak to someone in person, there is lots of support you can access online.
Take time out
Focus on time to do things that make you feel good. This could be on your own or with friends. You could:
- Do arts and crafts, like drawing, painting, building, Lego, or writing.
- play video games
- Bake or cook
- access local clubs or activities
- watch a movie
- read
- exercise – This is good at any time, but particularly if you're feeling a bit low as exercise releases natural endorphins, the happy chemical in your brain that makes you feel good! Playing sports and staying active is vital to maintaining good mental health. If sports is not your thing, you may be surprised that you are doing exercise without even knowing it! For example:
- taking the dog for a walk
- playing in the park
- riding your bike
- gardening
- dancing
Naomi shares her experience of growing up as a young carer
I began caring for my mum unknowingly around 5/6 years old. She has had a spinal deformity since she was born, but as the years have gone by it's taken its toll on her mobility, and she has spent a lot of time in hospital and then in recovery at home.
You might also be interested in
Bullying can happen in a range of different ways, it is when somebody repeatedly hurts you, verbally or physically abusing.
All young carers have different caring responsibilities and have different ways of dealing with the ups and downs of caring.
Our friendly support worker leads group walks offering a listening ear and providing support to help carers in your caring role.
When you help care for someone there may be situations that arise where you are unexpectedly unable to help, maybe you get ill or if you have an accident.
Did you find this page helpful?
Your feedback helps us improve our services for all.