5 Ways to Cope With an Illness in Your Family

take note of ways to cope with illness in the family

For some people, dealing with their family members’ ever-changing temperaments and attitudes can already be a big challenge. But when an unexpected illness in the family arrives? Big oof — events like this don’t pass the vibe check, do they?

Let’s face it: Caring for a sick family loved one, whether young or old, is far from easy. After all, an illness may not just cause financial burdens, but negatively impact a family member’s mental, emotional, and physical health too.

Whether you have been appointed as a sick relative’s caregiver or are helping others provide care, don’t forget that your well-being is just as important! Period.

Illness in the family can stir up overwhelming emotions, but you don’t have to face them alone. Many difficulties and challenges can arise because of a sickness in the family, so take the time to read these tips that can teach you how to cope with them.

While these steps won’t promise that the emotions will instantly disappear or be erased, these coping strategies may help you navigate these tough times and find moments of relief.

Practice empathy and compassion.

News flash: No one wants to be sick. If it were even possible, people would choose not to get sick. But life is unpredictable, and health challenges can happen to anyone at any time.

Some people who are sick may feel like a burden to others simply because they cannot perform their usual duties or have to rely on others to accomplish even the most basic of tasks.

TBH, this is where a little empathy and compassion can truly go a long way. Being empathic and compassionate is high-key admirable because it is your way of extending support and love to someone who is sick, especially when others decide to turn their back on them.

More importantly, these values can help build trust between you and your sick family member, and strengthen your relationship. But how exactly do you become empathetic to a sick family member? Well, you can start by:

Listening to the patient’s struggles with symptoms of their illness
Acknowledging (and not dismissing) the emotions they are feeling
Providing some reassurance, especially when they feel very sick, their symptoms flare up more than usual, or express concerns that they are becoming burdensome for others

Make an effort to communicate.

Clear communication always hits differently, don’t you agree? During these times of uncertainty and even pain, it is important to communicate so no one gets left behind and everyone is on the same page with what is currently happening.

Establishing clear communication requires more than setting up ways to talk to each other, whether verbally or via messaging apps. It takes two to tango, so it is important that you strive to listen attentively and talk clearly.

If the sick family member is expressing his or her feelings or needs, listen to what they have to say. If they are not as talkative or you are worried they are not expressing themselves fully, start conversations by asking questions.

You can start with simple inquiries about their day, then progress to questions about their feelings. It also helps to be more specific with your inquiries, as it can give the impression of choice to your patients and push them towards answering or even accepting solutions.

Practice self-care.

This tip might sound like a broken record at this point, but don’t count it out! It’s more than a buzzword — self-care can help you manage emotions, stress levels, and mental health during this difficult time. Plus, research has also linked self-care to increased energy levels, better mood, lower risk for burnout, and improved relationships with others.

Since people respond to feelings and events differently, it goes without saying that self-care can be done in many ways. Some self-care strategies to consider include:

Getting at least seven to nine hours of high-quality sleep
Exercising regularly through running, jogging, swimming, cycling, and even dancing
Consuming a healthy and balanced diet that is loaded with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meat, poultry, fish, legumes, and low-fat dairy products
Practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing exercises and guided imagery

Take much-needed breaks.

Are you the type of person to charge full steam ahead and not rest until you succeed with your tasks or goals? If you answered yes, now may be the time to reconsider this since it may increase your risk of dealing with burnout and/or additional stress or fatigue.

In the dictionary, burnout is defined as “exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration.” Think of your well-being as a lit candle. While there are times when the flame burns bright, external factors can cause the light to dim and even go up in smoke.

If you are designated to take care of a sick person or family member, there is an added risk of caregiver burnout. It is a real phenomenon, and it is not giving at all. This type of burnout is characterized by instances of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that can be felt by someone tasked to care for a sick relative.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

The temptation to take matters into your own hands and take care of a sick family member may come easily for some people. However, unless you are a wizard with a self-healing magic wand or a superhero with super strength, this is impossible. In fact, it may even increase your risk for unwanted cases of burnout and reduce your ability to care for your sick relative properly.

There’s a saying that goes, “Teamwork makes the dream work,” and this applies to people tasked with taking care of sick family members, too. No cap! If possible, try to ask for help from your parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and/or cousins in taking care of your sick relative.

If you have no relatives to contact, some health experts advise that you maintain good relationships with your sick relative’s doctors or other health professionals. Doing so helps you understand the ill relative’s current situation, learn proper ways to provide care, and allow you to contact someone in case of an emergency.

You may be low-key and more at ease knowing there is someone out there who is knowledgeable about your relative’s illness and can provide extra insights on what is happening to him or her.

When Should One Consult a Mental Health Professional?

Taking care of a sick family member can be overwhelming, much like a tidal wave that crashes onto shore and drags living things underwater. However, if one is looking for a way to swim up to the surface and breathe in some air, consulting a mental health professional, such as a psychologist or a psychiatrist can help.

Talking to a mental health professional is high-key helpful if someone has no outlet to release emotions that arise because of caring for a sick relative. A mental health professional can help someone understand why these feelings happen in the first place, suggest ways to work with them, and potentially create a win-win situation for everyone involved.

Even if you are tasked with taking care of an ailing family member, don’t miss out on valuable opportunities to Mind Your Mental Health. Let Mind Connect Philippines help you cope with strong emotions during this difficult time and access crucial mental health support.

Feeling more anxious or depressed than usual? Answer this quiz and learn whether you are at risk for any type of anxiety or depression that can impact your overall health.

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