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Our mental health and our physical health are connected. By looking after our body, we are looking after our mind as well.
Your physical health and your mental health go hand in hand. Lorraine Haining, Specialist Dementia Nurse, Dementia Carers Count
Carers often tell us that they neglect their own health and prioritise the needs of the person with dementia. They often experience high levels of stress. Looking after your physical and your mental health is important for your overall well-being.
Some people experience physical symptoms that do not have a physical cause. Research suggests that medically unexplained symptoms are often linked to mental health. Examples of medically unexplained symptoms might include:
It’s important that you look after yourself and keep your medical appointments. If you experience new physical symptoms you should go and see your GP. If no physical cause of the symptoms is identified then there are several options you might wish to talk through with your GP. These include:
It’s important to think about ways you can manage stress.
Some people find deep breathing exercises or meditation helps, for others it might be mindful movement such as walking or yoga or being out in nature, in the park or garden. Try to find what works for you. Lorraine Haining, Specialist Dementia Nurse, Dementia Carers Count
Taking regular exercise can also help improve symptoms by keeping you fit and boosting your mood. It does this by:
The best way to ensure you carry out regular exercise is to find something you enjoy doing that you can include in your weekly routine, whether it’s dancing, cycling, swimming or Pilates. The NHS has lots of ideas about free exercise activities.
Even if you are at home, there are simple exercises you can do two or three times a week to help maintain your strength and balance. All you need is supportive shoes and a sturdy chair.
Connecting with other people is also important for good mental wellbeing.
It gives us the opportunity to share experiences, give and receive emotional support and laugh. This helps to build our sense of self-worth and identity outside of being a carer.
Find out more about the importance of social and emotional connections
Good nutrition is also key in influencing how we feel physically and mentally. Our diet can give us more energy, improve our mood and help us think more clearly.
A Mediterranean style diet with of lots of fresh vegetables, seafood and garlic is thought to help reduce symptoms of depression.
Keeping hydrated is also important and looking after your gut by eating gut healthy foods such as fruit, vegetables, beans, pulses, live yoghurt and probiotics.
Find out more about how food impacts your mood
Getting a good night’s sleep is good for all of us, but especially for family carers of people with dementia.
Good sleeping patterns are essential for our physical and mental wellbeing.
Find out more about what might help you sleep betterGet the opportunity to talk with and listen to other carers, in our small, friendly dementia carer online peer support groups
We can all build our resilience to help us cope better with challenges
There are a number of everyday challenges that dementia carers face. We have practical advice, tips and coping strategies which can make a big difference.
