(ThySistas.com) There is nothing more heartbreaking than seeing someone you love go through a difficult period. Whether they have had a traumatic injury, or they’ve suffered mental health problems, you can feel the pressure of having to support them. Of course, in looking after them, you know, in your heart of hearts, you will do anything for them. But, when we completely give ourselves over to supporting this person, we can neglect ourselves. It’s a very fine balance to tread, but what can we all do if we have a partner going through a difficult time?
Ensuring they know we are there for them
Whatever your loved one is going through, there are going to be times when they will feel very isolated. It’s impossible for you to say that you know what they are going through, because they are suffering it by themselves. But this doesn’t mean you aren’t there for them in an emotional sense. It’s important that you do what you can to be there for them, but know when it’s time to back off. The big thing we all have, if we don’t feel we are being supported enough, 
isn’t about making sure that the other person gives us enough hugs, but we need to know that they are emotionally there for us. Yes, you can show that you are there for someone by waiting on them hand and foot, and giving them as much physical support as possible, but, this can be too much. And the best way to ensure you give the right balance of support? Communication. Sure, there are going to be times when they won’t want to talk. But, at the very outset, if you can maintain an open dialogue, this is going to help everyone.
Getting the desired outcome of the situation
It certainly depends on what has happened. Every situation is unique, but, whether it’s making sure that your contact with the hospital is regular, and you are up-to-date with every aspect of treatment, or there are concerns with the legal side of issues, ensuring you get the desired outcome that can help introduce some form of closure, is vital in an emotional sense. Whether your loved one got injured in an accident, or it was the result of something completely different, there are numerous resources to help with private damage legal cases. And while this may be the furthest thing from your mind, retribution, in a legal sense, is one of the many ways in which you can achieve a sense of closure. But, for the here and now, if your loved one is struggling to recuperate, this is the priority. Granted, there are lawyers and legal teams that can do the work for you, but the whole process can be a weight on you and your loved one, so you need to decide whether it is in your best interests right now.
Looking after yourself
We neglect our own health for the sake of our loved ones. But, think about it, if you aren’t in optimum health, how can you be the pillar of strength in which to look after them? You don’t have to look far to see how much caring for someone can cause crippling anxiety; there are so many parents who care for their children, or middle aged adults who look after their parents. It’s incredibly heartbreaking to see, but the one constant in making sure that you are able to look after your loved one is that you are as healthy as you can be. This means the usual things, like eating enough to sustain your energy, but also taking the opportunity to have a mental break from the anxieties.
So, you can feel like it’s non-stop, and there’s no let up, but you need to find an opportunity for adequate respite from what you are doing. This doesn’t mean going away for a couple of weeks, this could mean actually spending some time on your own to process what’s going on, or by making the most of modern mindfulness techniques. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health, and much like a heavy weight in a physical sense, there are times where you have to get out from underneath the load.
It can be one of the most difficult things we have to endure in life, when someone close to you is going through a difficult time, and you take on the role of caregiver, this is an almighty task. Don’t think that it isn’t, but with adequate preparation, and continual maintenance, inside and out, you can support them and yourself.
Staff Writer; Emma Cook