3 Tips Caregivers Can Use to Avoid Stress
A 2015 article published by Harvard Medical School found that around 43.5 million people in the United States provide long-term care for older adult family members who’ve been diagnosed with a chronic illness. These caregivers are neither trained for the job, nor do they have any idea about coping with the stress that comes with longtime care. As a result, one in three caregivers burn out while providing care to a loved one. A burnout can manifest through physical or mental illness, lack of social life, etc. You can, however, avoid burning out by following these tips:
1. Seek Help:
Caregiving needn’t be a lonely journey. If it was intended to be, the in-home healthcare industry wouldn’t be worth billions of dollars. You can always hire a caregiver to assist you with simple, everyday activities, like cleaning, doing laundry, cooking, or even light housekeeping. At Med1Care, our licensed home health aides can run errands for you, accompany you for doctor’s appointments, write letters for you, and even pay bills for you. And for more serious in-home healthcare, our registered nurses can help patients recover from all illness or injury.
2. Reduce Stress:
Practice mindfulness to boost emotional health. The idea is to respond mindfully to situations—this helps lower blood pressure and heart rate. Responding mindfully to situations also reduces production of stress hormones. Practicing yoga, engaging in meditation, or immersing in hobbies are some great things you can do to relax the mind.
3. Take Care of Your Health:
A lack of proper sleep and timely diet are two main issues that bother caregivers. Set a proper sleep routine, don’t forget to exercise every day, and eat healthy. Speak to your physician regularly and make sure that they’re aware of any concerns that are bothering you. But most importantly, don’t lose touch with the outside world. Social isolation is one of the main reasons for depression. Talk to a friend or family member who will listen to you without being judgmental.
