4 Benefits of Supporting Others: It’s Better to Give Than Receive!

I discussed elements of caregiving quite a bit last month.  It’s because caregiving, and personally providing care for others, is a crucial, timely, and relevant issue on a global level.  We may automatically think about the struggles surrounding caregiving.

However, looking at the positive and rewarding benefits of supporting others is crucial for changing our perspective on caregiving and maintaining a balanced and abundant life. 

The following four benefits of supporting others are helpful for the care provider and the recipient of care:

Emotional Benefits: 

Caregiving is about giving yourself to another who needs your help.  While providing care can be difficult on various levels, many caregivers find that providing care and assistance gives them a greater sense of self-worth and personal confidence and growth.  We hear the phrase, “it’s all about your perspective.”  When it comes to dealing with many things in life, that’s SO true!

Life is about choices.  You can choose to be miserable, bitter, resentful, and negative, or you can choose to change your perspective about life’s circumstances.  Let me make something clear: I’m not saying that you should naively look at everything with “rose-colored glasses.”  That’s not only emotionally unhealthy, but it won’t stand up to the test of time while being a care provider.  However, you can choose to protect your emotional health by applying healthy emotional boundaries. In the long run, you and your care recipient will benefit!

Physical Benefits: 

Being aware of the importance of your physical health starts first!  In turn, proactively keeping yourself healthy by exercise, enough sleep, respite care for yourself, and healthy eating are crucial! 

In most cases, you need your physical strength to care for your loved one properly.  Feeling physically well has an overall positive effect on your well-being.  Also, focusing on the positive aspects of your life (i.e., gratefulness) may help you stay physically healthy and, in turn, provide better care. 

Social Benefits: 

By reaching out to others, we find many “kindred spirits” who are going through the same challenges as we are.  Sharing resources and finding and participating in online or in-person support groups are positive reinforcements for caregivers.  We then tend not to feel so socially (and emotionally) isolated. 

I encourage you to check out resources like the Family Caregiver Alliance. You can help your loved one avoid social isolation by doing some shopping together, having them attend a senior day program or senior center, and technologically helping them stay connected to friends via Zoom, Facebook, and other online resources.  By setting up a schedule that’s advantageous for you and them, it will be something they’ll look forward to doing.

Spiritual Benefits: 

There are many positive aspects of having spirituality and faith as a caregiver.  Spirituality gives meaning to life and enhances our faith.  By relying on our faith in God to help us get through our struggles, we have hope that we are never alone as caregivers. 

Having spiritual faith tends to ground us in having meaning and purpose in life that is not all about us.  Being more service-oriented towards our fellow human beings is felt like a fulfillment of our faith-based practice.

As a Certified Senior Advisor®, I felt compelled to create a toolkit about respite care.

 

The Family Caregiver Respite Care Toolkit gives you practical tools to be less stressed, more healthy, self-caring (without guilt!), and empowered to become a more balanced and abundant family caregiver.

Conclusion:

Realistically, caregiving can be difficult on many levels!  However, many people caring for their aging parent(s) feel a sense of giving back to someone who has cared for them throughout their life.

There’s a sense of personal growth and increased purpose in one’s life, from service to another in need.  And, by changing your perspective, looking out for your health, reaching out to others for help and resources, and tapping into your faith can keep you on the right track to an abundant life!

Related Posts:

“The Unintentional Caregiver.” BalancedAbundantLiving.com. May 25, 2021.

“The Sandwich Generation: Our Need for Balanced, Abundant Living.” BalancedAbundantLiving.com. June 1, 2021.

“Give Yourself a Break!: Self-Compassion is Good for You!” BalancedAbundantLiving.com. March 26, 2021.