Caregiver burnout is a legitimate health condition caused by unrelieved anxiety, and its symptoms include excessive fatigue, social withdrawal, sleep disorders, and mood swings. Here are eight ways caregivers can reduce their risk of burnout.
1. Make Time for Friends
Many caregivers are so busy their relationships with friends and family members take a back seat. However, it’s important to stay social, as friends can provide the support you need to get through difficult days.
Caring for a senior loved one can be rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming for family caregivers who have other responsibilities they need to focus on. For these families, the perfect solution is respite care. Potomac families rely on our caregivers whenever they need time to rest, work, run errands, and even go on vacation.
2. Practice Mindfulness
Many caregivers find meditation helpful, as it gives them the opportunity to relax. If you meditate for ten minutes every day, you may find mindfulness makes it easier to manage caregiving duties.
3. Engage in Enjoyable Activities
Busy caregivers need to appreciate the simple things. Take a few minutes each morning to indulge in a favorite activity, whether it’s drinking a hot cup of tea or watching a few funny videos on YouTube. If you take a break to relax, you may feel refreshed when it’s time to return to your caregiving duties.
4. Eat Healthy & Stay Active
Caregivers who neglect their own health and wellbeing are likely to experience burnout. To prevent exhaustion and stress from building up, make sure to eat healthy meals. Small adjustments to the diet can make a big difference. Instead of snacking on potato chips, grab a handful of almonds or an apple. If you don’t have time to make it to the gym, work out to a ten-minute exercise video while your loved one is asleep. When you take care of your own health, you may be better equipped to care for your loved one.
5. Let Go of Negative Emotions
Caregivers tend to exhaust themselves when caring for their senior loved ones, but their efforts sometimes go unappreciated. When their efforts aren’t recognized, caregivers may experience frustration, depression, or other negative emotions. If you’re affected by negative emotions, find an appropriate outlet for your feelings, such as therapy or a support group.
6. Ask for Help
Friends and family members can be a great source of help, even if they’re just picking up prescriptions at the pharmacy. Don’t be afraid to ask them for assistance. You can also seek help from a professional home care agency.
Although it may be challenging to find reliable, highly rated home care service, you can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care. Our caregivers are expertly trained to assist seniors with a wide array of important tasks, including cooking, bathing, light housekeeping, and exercise.
7. Write in a Journal
When caregivers start to lose their sense of individuality, burnout becomes inevitable. You should try to stay true to yourself, which means engaging in activities that allow you to reflect on your experiences. Many caregivers find journaling helpful, as it provides an outlet to vent frustrations and be creative.
8. Don’t Stress about Things You Can’t Change
Caregivers work hard, but they can’t fix everything. Some health conditions may not get better, so don’t feel guilty for the things you can’t control. Instead of allowing negative thoughts to creep in, applaud yourself for persevering no matter what.
Hiring a professional caregiver is one of the best ways to take a break from your caregiving duties to relax, de-stress, and prevent burnout. When considering in-home care, Potomac, MD, families should make sure their senior loved ones have the resources they need to maintain their independence and remain healthy. Trusted in-home care professionals can assist seniors with daily tasks like cooking, bathing, and exercise, and they can also encourage them to focus on healthier lifestyle habits. Assisting Hands Home Care will work with you to customize a care plan that’s just right for your loved one’s needs. Call one of our friendly Care Managers today at (301) 363-2580 to learn more about our customized care