By: Patrick Tourian, owner of caregiver services from Synergy HomeCare in Austin, Texas
Though caring for a loved one in need can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life, it can also be one of the most challenging. That is certainly the case for those who seek help from Synergy HomeCare of Texas. As a leader in the assisted living industry – from senior services and respite care, to personal care and companionship – Synergy has seen firsthand how in home care can take a devastating toll on primary caregivers.
If you are a primary caregiver, do yourself and your loved ones a favor. Follow these 10 ways that you can take better care of yourself:
- Ask for help. Much of the stress associated with care giving stems from the fear that you’re not doing all you can to help, or that what you are doing is wrong. So the more help you can get from a professional caregiver through an organization like Synergy, the easier – and more rewarding – your own care giving responsibilities will be.
- Give yourself a break. When you devote most of your time to the care of someone else, it’s easy to forget yourself. In fact, it’s the most common mistake among primary caregivers – sacrificing your own needs in order to meet someone else’s. Inevitably, burnout sets in. Not only do you suffer the consequences, but the quality of care you’re providing suffers too. So it is absolutely essential that you set aside time each day to address your own physical, mental and emotional needs. Respite care can be arranged through an organization like Synergy so that a trusted caregiver can be with your loved one while you are away.
- Find a support system. Whether it’s a formal support group for primary caregivers, or an informal group of friends and family, you need people to talk with about how you’refeeling. Formal support groups are often ideal as they are filled with people going through the same thing, meaning you need not censor yourself for fear that they may not understand your feelings of guilt or resentment.
- Get plenty of exercise. Not only is it a stress-reliever, but also an energizer. Incorporate three or four workouts into your weekly routine – be it walking, running or swimming laps in the pool – and you’ll find yourself feeling more balanced, relaxed and refreshed.
- Eat healthy meals. You know how important nutrition is to the loved one you’re caring for. Well it’s equally important to you, as eating too little or settling for fatty fast foods will only leave you feeling unsatisfied and depleted. A balanced diet is critical to maintaining the level of energy you need to take care of your loved one and yourself.
- Find a fun activity. When you’re caring for a loved one, simply surviving isn’t enough. You need to thrive – doing things you love instead of putting your life on hold. Whether it’s a hobby you’ve had for years, or something new you’ve always wanted to try, find something to do that’s creative, rewarding and fun.
- Organize your priorities. Just because you’re the primary caregiver of a loved one should in no way imply that everything else in your life must take a backseat. On the contrary, your job, finances, spouse and children need and deserve your attention too.
- Learn to manage your stress. Physically, mentally and emotionally, stress can take its toll, manifesting itself through a wide range of symptoms, including headache, back pain, sleeping problems, anxiety, mood swings, overeating, under eating, excessive drinking and social withdrawal. To prevent or alleviate symptoms of stress, incorporate relaxing activities into your life, be it a hot bath, long walk, good book, meditation or massage.
- Watch for signs of depression. Far too common among caregivers, depression can be a debilitating condition that affects every aspect of your life. Signs of depression may include those associated with stress, as well as feelings of hopelessness and self-loathing, and thoughts of suicide. So watch for these signs and, if you suspect you are depressed, seek help immediately – if not from a professional therapist, then from a support group or trusted loved one.
- Stop feeling guilty. No matter how hard you try, you can not do everything. And that’s okay, or at least it should be. Unfortunately, primary caregivers often beat themselves up for not being perfect, further compounding the stress that can lead to depression and physical illness.