If you’re one of the millions of Americans that volunteer every year to care for aging-in-place loved ones, you realize what it takes. And although serving as an informal caregiver is a labor of love, it can also be physically and emotionally demanding.
In order to avoid caregiver stress and maintain your own wellbeing, it sometimes becomes necessary to step aside for a while so that you can refocus and recharge. If you currently find yourself in this position, here’s why relinquishing your caregiving duties temporarily doesn’t make you a selfish person.
Caregiver Stress Warning Signs
Most informal caregivers are asked to juggle their caregiving responsibilities along with managing a household and a job. As those daily pressures mount up family conflict, social withdrawal, and financial hardship are common struggles family caregivers face.
These are some of the classic warning signs of caregiver stress:
- Feelings of guilt, hopelessness, or helplessness
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- A weakened immune system
- Rapid weight gain or loss
- Substance abuse
- Digestive problems
- Frequent headaches
- Withdrawing from family and friends
Once caregiver stress sets in it can quickly affect the health and wellbeing of both the caregiver and care recipient.
Self-Care Tips to Maintain Your Wellbeing as a Caregiver
The average caregiver battles negative emotions like depression, anxiety, frustration, and guilt. When it’s time to take a well-deserved break, here’s how to keep unhealthy feelings from interfering with your recovery process:
Join a support group
Joining a caregiver support group is a great way to connect with like-minded individuals who understand what you’re going through. As a reliable source of caregiving tips, support groups provide an open forum where you can openly express your feelings and frustrations without being judged.
Speak with a counselor
Another way to share your innermost thoughts without being criticized is by speaking with a licensed professional counselor. Not only will your counselor be objective and a good listener, but he or she should also be able to provide you with valuable insight that helps restore your peace of mind and self-worth.
Stay in shape
Regular exercise benefits your body and mind in many ways, starting with the fact it’s a great stress reliever. Working out for 20 minutes several times a week will also promote a better night’s sleep, strengthen your immune system, and give you a more positive mental outlook. Some of the best workouts for caregivers include walking, swimming, bicycling, or aerobics. Meditative forms of exercise like Yoga and Tai Chi help cleanse both the body and mind.
Start a caregiving journal
Another way to kick negative thoughts to the curb is by recording them in a journal. Once you start a caregiving journal, you can also use it to write down inspirational messages or positive experiences. When life is bringing you down, going back and reading those uplifting messages can do wonders for your self-confidence and mental health.
Pamper yourself
When caring for an aging loved one, your free time and other personal relationships often get pushed aside. Reward yourself for a job well done by doing activities you enjoy. Pamper yourself with a spa day, take a vacation, learn a new hobby, or just spend a quiet evening curled up on the couch binge-watching your favorite TV shows. After all, you’ve earned it!
Where to Find Caregiver Relief
Once you’ve made the decision to take a break find a suitable replacement (or two) by taking advantage of caregiving sources like:
- Other family members
- Friends, neighbors, or coworkers
- Community volunteers that work with the aging
- Adult daycare
- A professional respite caregiver from a licensed home care agency
Reliable In-Home Respite Care for Caregivers in the Boston Area
Although it’s highly rewarding caring for an aging loved one can also be tiring and stressful. At Assisting Hands Home Care of Boston Northwest, we specialize in quality care solutions that help seniors stay safe and comfortable right where they want to be. While serving as an extended family in the home, our highly trained caregivers can deliver in-home personal care and support ranging from respite care and companionship to dementia care, and even 24-hour and live-in care.
While proudly serving clients and families in the Bedford, Winchester, Concord, and Northwest Boston areas of Massachusetts, Assisting Hands is committed to providing the highest quality of care possible while empowering those we serve with dignity and respect. To learn more about Assisting Hands of Boston Northwest now, or to schedule a FREE assessment today, please visit us at Assisting Hands – Boston Northwest!
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