Caregivers are Lifesavers!!
Being a caregiver is one of the most difficult jobs there is. It is a job that provides a plethora of physical and mental challenges that require time management and creative problem-solving skills. You develop anticipatory knowledge and are consistently attentive to the behavioral and psychological needs of your dependent. Here are some tips to help you stay afloat.
- Remember to breath. As simple as it is, people tend to hold their breath when they are psychologically stressed.
- Have confidence in your role as a caregiver.
- Accept your feelings.It is normal to feel angry, resentful and sadness as a caregiver. All those feelings are valid. Seek professional help if these emotions dominate your thoughts.
- Recognize and turn off the negative dialogue- Look at the positive of a situation. Imagine yourself as a comedian when the going gets tough.
- Recognize your limitations and the impact of the disease. Understanding the effects of a disease can correct misperceptions of difficult behavior.
- Nourish your body. Supply your body with healthy food, fluids, daily exercise & rest
- Build bonds with the positive people in your life. Having a support “team” of positive people can provide different perspectives. Positivity can be contagious.
- Connect with other caregivers. They can be a source of emotional support as well as a resource to for caregiving issues.
- Don’t allow yourself to become isolated. Stay in touch with friends and neighbors. Writing letter, talking over the phone, via email and or social media nourishes your social being. It is important to nurture your personal life and maintain your identity,
- Insist on getting respite care.It’s crucial to restore your batteries from time to time. It provides an opportunity to let down your guard, relax and will make you a better caregiver to your loved one.
- Focus on today and keep it simple. Tomorrow will come soon enough. Planning too far ahead can cause un-needed stress for some. Sometimes it is best to just focus on the tasks that are necessary (meals, hygiene and laundry).
12 Learn the signs and symptoms of depression and seek professional help if you feel you are
personally, experiencing negative, gloomy thoughts.
13. Laugh: Find pleasure and humor in daily activities. The act of laughing itself reduces stress
hormones, increases the release of endorphins (those feel-good chemicals) and enhances
disease fighting compounds.
