sick family member, caregiver stress may also pose challenges. Feeling burdened or worried all the time is one of the main signs of caregiver stress. As Normani explained in previous interviews, she always wanted to be by her parents’ side during this difficult time.
Other signs include feeling tired, sad, losing interest, and becoming easily angry. According to a survey from AARP, “ Half of caregivers (50%) said caregiving increased their level of emotional stress, while more than one-third (37%) said it impacted their physical feelings of stress.”
Despite the various emotional burdens one faces when a loved one is sick, there are many ways to protect your mental health. It could include joining support groups, seeking therapy, or asking for help when necessary. Self-care, however, is the most important thing. For others, this may include getting back to their favorite hobbies and passions. In the case of Normani, her music could be seen as a form of self-care.
“For me, this work that I was able to put out into the world really saved me, to be completely honest. Even just being on FaceTime with her as she’s going through her chemo and her radiation, and just wanting me to update her on how this video is going, and how the music is coming, it really got her through that. It got my family through the darkest time of our lives,” she shared.
We hope that she continues to shine with her music comeback and her parents continue to get healthier during this difficult time.