How many hours do you spend caring for your mom and dad? Do you balance that with a full-time or part-time job? Many family caregivers do spend time balancing their work lives and responsibilities to their children, partner/spouse, and parents.
It can make it very hard to maintain a regular social routine. When was the last time you saw your friends? If you are not socializing with friends and family now and then, it can be detrimental. Studies find that isolation and loneliness can impact your mental and physical health.
How Do You Remain Social?
Don’t overwhelm yourself so much that you have no time left for the things you enjoy doing. Make plans and stick to them. Go out to eat or for drinks with friends, if it’s possible, or arrange a group video chat with your friends if you can’t gather in person.
If you’re not up for a video chat, consider playing online games together on certain nights. There are online trivia games, Pictionary games, and video games for multiple players. You each play from your own homes, but you’re together online chatting and having fun together.
Be realistic when it comes to arranging how often you can meet. If you work 40 hours and spend another two or three hours helping your parents, you probably won’t want to meet each week. Plan for every other week or once a month instead. Use respite care services from a homecare agency to get the breaks you need to socialize.
What Happens if You Have a Small Social Circle?
If you don’t have a lot of friends or have distanced yourself from those you had because of your role as a family caregiver, start volunteering within your community. Take an hour or two a week doing something you like. You’ll make friends with the other volunteers.
Join local groups like book reading clubs, walking clubs, or special interest groups for hobbyists. You’ll meet others who share your interests and make new friends.
You should also consider joining a support group for family caregivers. There are specialty groups that focus both on family caregivers and the health conditions they help with. You’ll surround yourself with others who know what you’re going through.
Homecare services help you balance the time you spend working, caring for your parents, and being there for your kids and significant other. You’ll have time to go out with friends for a social hour. Learn more by calling our local homecare agency.