The best way to take care of anyone is to firstly ensure that you are taking care of yourself.

If the other person is ill and you're worried that you may absorb some of their negative energy, I would suggest firstly that you are physically and mentally at a good place yourself so you are not as susceptible to absorbing that negative energy.

You can surround yourself with a protective light or affirm that your intention is to stay happy and well while taking care of your loved one. It will help too if you can try and envision your loved one as being happy and well, even though appearances may show otherwise.

I'm currently in the process of letting go of the energy of taking care of. It got to the point where taking care of that person really effected my health in a negative way.

I recently bought the book Boundaries and am learning we have to let people feel pain for them to get even a little bit stronger and better.

I am still on this journey of learning the best way to live with it.

Good luck. Let me know if i can be of any help considering it sounds like we are in the same boat.

Caretaking can take many forms. Some of us are raising children. Others are providing living assistance to an elderly person. Still others are working with an autistic person.

It helps if this care is viewed as a privilege, and not a chore. If you love the people you take care of, that caregiving should be a pleasure, not a burden.

As with all things that require energy, you should do the things that give you more of it:

• Get an adequate amount of sleep each night.
• Exercise daily.
• Eat well.
• Meditate.

Make sure you devote some personal time to pursuing your own interests that inspire you.

I think even when you" take care of" out of love, sometimes it becomes overwhelming.Mostly we am happy do do the "taking care of" but then something happens and we begin to feel put upon.I think generally we are so entrenched in " taking care of" that we forget "me" who sometimes feels like being "taken care of " ourselves.Because we have taken on the role of "carer" we do not feel able to take the care of others if it is offered,it seems like a sign of weakness.Myself I feel like I am the one to take care of myself,and others. Not a very clear answer ,but a jumble of thoughts.

The book Back2Basics suggested is a really good one and will help you a lot if you are having a hard time drawing lines.

When we feel inspired to help others, that can be a great exchange of energy and love, for both the giver and receiver. But the line can easily be crossed, and one can quickly find themselves feeling like a doormat, and that isn't how it should be. You definitely need to keep yourself healthy, and the person you are caring for needs to do as much for himself or herself as possible and not be "babied" in any way. Guilt should not be a factor in the exchange either.

Tony Robbins, one of the world's best motivational speakers, has a new TV show, which started this week. It's called "Breakthrough" and if you get the chance to catch it, on TV or on-line, I recommend it. There was a young couple featured this week, where the husband is paralyzed from a diving accident and the wife is caring for him 24/7. Tony encouraged the wife to get out sometimes alone, to not think of her husband as being fragile, and to see him as more capable of taking care of some of his own needs. He encouraged the husband to see himself as stronger, and encouraged him to sky-dive, learn to drive again with special controls, and to play some wheel-chair ball games. Previously this couple had stayed home and cried a lot, feeling sorry about their lives. It was about love, guilt, and caring for oneself, and about balancing life out with some fun as frequently as possible.

Best wishes for staying balanced!

Very interesting and worthy question. This has been a repeated theme in my life. I am currently coming out of a situation with my elderly mother and disabled sister which has presented me with financial and emotional challenges, based on taking on this type of energy. As a nurse, I know many healthcare professionals who also have challenges with this issue. My suggestion....

1. Maintain balance. If you give too much to someone or something, you will have little or nothing for yourself.

2. Set Boundaries. This might seem cold but it is necessary in maintaining healthy relationships. Being loving does not mean giving up your life...slavery is an unhealthy mindset.

3. Continue to set goal....never put your life on hold for anyone or anything. You can never reclaim that time. If you can be supportive great, if not don't feel guilty.

4. I am also aware of people who take on physical symptoms as well. Professional energy workers can assist with techniques that keep physical and emotional in check.

My best to you...Love & Blessings