Better Self-Care for Sick Days as a Special Needs Parent

Better self-care for sick days can help special needs parents regain health and well-being.

Special needs parents can become so focused on caring for their children that self-care and healthcare takes a backseat. The additional ongoing stressors of being a special needs parent can also lead to a weakened immune system or a higher rate of becoming sick.

A 2012 study found parents of children with autism more likely to get common ailments such as colds.

There are both preventative steps to take before getting sick and ways to take care of yourself when you are already sick.

Preventative Measures

Knowing that you may be more likely to become sick, you can take preventative measures to protect your health.

Action Step: Keep current with your medical appointments. See your own doctor at least annually for a check-up. When you make an appointment for your child, make an appointment for yourself. 

Action Step: See specialists as needed. Eye doctor visits, dental care, and other specialists are also important to your overall self-care.

Action Step: Diet, exercise, and sleep are important for your overall health. Take a look at how you are doing in these three areas. Looking to improve your sleep? Read more strategies in Better Quality Sleep for Special Needs Parents.

Action: Take prescribed medications and recommended vitamins as directed.

Better Self-Care for Sick Days: Action Steps

Special needs parents do not get time off for sick days. You will most likely be caring for your child or children while trying to recover from an illness.

Action Step: Enlist help if possible. This can give you a break to rest and prevent spreading germs to your child. If respite care is not available, help in the form of ordering in dinner is another option.

Action Step: Focus on hydration, rest, and sleep. Push up bedtime as much as possible. Take a nap if you can. Drink throughout the day and postpone any non-essential tasks.

Action Step: Visit your doctor if needed. 

Action Step: Try to lengthen the self-care activities you already have in place. For example, take a longer shower or have a second cup of tea. 

Action Step: You may already have created your Self-Care Kit for Special Needs Parents. Creating a Self-Care Kit for Sick Days is also a good idea. Keep reading for some ideas in creating one!

Creating a Self-Care Kit for Sick Days

Just like having self-care activities on hand with a Self-Care Kit is helpful in having ready-to-go and easily accessible items for self-care during your day, Self-Care Kits for Sick Days are helpful to have on hand.

Medications

Having standard over-the-counter medications in your home will allow you to start treating symptoms right away. When I feel sick, I do not want to drive to a store. I also might not be able to easily get to a store if one of my children is in crisis, therapy, or already asleep.

I find keeping a small box of common medications in my closet keeps medication on hand and in a safe place. At the start of each season, check through to make sure you have the common items and that nothing has expired. Replace as needed. Also replace medications after they have been used.

Checking seasonally allows me to prepare for things such as allergies and flu season.

Care Items

In addition to having medications readily available, some basic care items are nice to have on hand. 

These could include:

• Tissues
• Cough drops
• Chapstick
• Nasal sprays

Comfort Foods

Keeping some foods and drinks on hand for when you are not feeling well is also helpful.

These could include:

• Tea 
• Ginger ale
• Soups
• Saltine crackers
• Frozen foods or easy to prepare meals for the rest of the family

Additional Items

Humidifiers can help you breathe more comfortably. They are especially helpful at nighttime. Anything to help you sleep better is a plus!

Menthol products in the shower or as a chest rub can also bring comfort. 

Comfy bathrobes and fuzzy socks can help you feel more comfortable at any time. They can bring some extra comfort as you are not feeling well.

Better Self-Care for Sick Days as a Special Needs Parent: Summary

Sick days are not fun. But, with prevention and extra care sick days can be reduced in frequency and severity.

I hope some of the action steps help you with prevention and in shortening recovery time when you do become unwell.

I hope your special Self-Care for Sick Days Kit helps you be prepared and creates better self-care for sick days in the future.

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