Caregiver Stress Relief Tips
Caregiver stress is very common in midlife. There are approximately 22 million Americans caring for older adults.
Life can get even more complicated if you are also still caring for your children at home. The term sandwich generation was coined to reflect women “sandwiched” between their children and their parents.
Do you have these signs of stress or burnout? - Sleeping or eating problems
- Neck pain
- Headaches
- High blood pressure
- Anxiety or depression
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Get sick often
- Muscle aches
- Feelings of guilt
- Anger
- Irritability
If you recognize the signs above it's very important to take action now. You must make caring for yourself your number one priority. Caregiving can be extremely draining and overwhelming, especially if you’re not getting enough rest and you’re skipping meals or eating junk food. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to get support. Get help from friends, family, church groups, community resources, and medical personnel. Support groups can be a tremendous help. They can provide a wealth of ideas and practical experience as well as emotional support. Caregiver Stress Relief Tips: - Ask for help – we live in a time when help is readily available. Take advantage of this. Don’t wait until you are totally depleted before asking for relief.
- Make time for yourself EVERY DAY.
- Hire help if possible.
- Keep a calendar of things to do and prioritize – you can’t do everything RIGHT NOW.
- Delegate whenever possible.
- Leave any guilt at the door; it doesn’t do you or your parent any good.
- Talk to your parents about the tough issues so you understand their wishes before there’s a crisis.
Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family: whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one. ~Jane Howard
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