As a family caregiver, time for self care can be hard to find. Being a family caregiver is a very hard and stressful job. Caregivers spend the majority of their time caring for the needs of others. Family Caregiver stress and Joy always comes last, and usually by the end of the day they are to exhausted to care about stress or joy.
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Family Caregiver Stress & Joy
Stress is part of life, but being a family caregiver can be particularly stressful. One of the best ways to combat stress is to aware of the early warning signs of stress. Family caregivers also have difficulty finding joy because each day is filled with the demands and the needs of others.
Early Warning Signs of Caregiver Stress
- Headaches
- Tired and fatigued
- Emotional outbursts
- Body aches and pains
- Illness
- Unexplained crying
- Not able to complete tasks
- Loss of interest in social activities or friends
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Increased feeling of being trap or stuck
- The thought that you are in this alone and no one cares
- Hopelessness
- Starting or continuing destructive behavior or habits
Everybody knows what stress feels like, don’t ignore the warning signs. Some family caregivers get relief from family, some don’t. It is not wrong or embarrassing to ask for help even if you have to pay for it.
Tips to Reduce Stress
- Acknowledge your feelings
- Practice meditation or prayer
- Exercise for yourself at least 2 – 3 times a week
- Practice Yoga or Tai Chi
- Get a massage
- Dance
- Listen to happy music that makes you feel good
- Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated
- Get enough sleep 6-8 hours is crucial for good health
- Eat real food that is packed with healthy vitamins
- Take plenty of vitamin D
- Delegate tasks like shopping, doctors visits etc. to other family members, friends, church members or a paid helper
- Don’t try to be superman or wonder woman. Be realistic about what you can and can’t do
- Don’t miss your doctors appointments
- Aromatherapy – this can help both you and your patient
- Take a vacation. Everyone needs a break from the stress of care giving
- Allow yourself to feel, you need to acknowledge when your having a difficult time and are overloaded. Keep family and friends involved.
Finding Joy in Family Care Giving
- Know in your heart that you are doing a good thing for your family member
- Find joy in the little things: maybe your family member had a good shower day, lots of smiles, liked your cooking or said thank you.
- Gratitude, I find that with gratitude while care giving gives me strength – Make a gratitude journal. Your family member could do one too and it could become a daily activity that you share together
- Be Silly, find joy in the simple things of each day
- Remember the person you’re caring for doesn’t want to be sick or old it just happens
- Find Creative things for you to do with the person you’re caring for at least 3 times a week. Painting, reading, writing, walks, arts and crafts etc.
- Don’t take things personally. When people are ill they say some hurtful things to those caring for them.
- Take it one day at a time.
- Avoid self destructive behavior, like over eating, smoking, drinking or abusing medications.
- Educate yourself. With education comes power
- Find a support group. There are many on line as well at local hospitals, churches and community centers in your area
- Breathe – sounds easy enough but as a family caregiver sometimes even breathing seems difficult. I step out take some deep breathes, change the thought in my head and then keep going.
Why Family Caregiver Stress & Joy Matters
Because you matter! You are important even when you don’t feel that you are. As a full-time caregiver myself for over 10 years, I have been overwhelmed, exhausted, sad, mad and completely done. I feel it is important for caregivers to talk about the day to day tasks and feeling that they are having. Family caregivers don’t get the respect they deserve. Family caregivers have one of the most stressful jobs ever, and I have had lots of jobs.
If you know a family caregiver offer to give them a break. You have no idea how much they would appreciate even 2 hours of time to themselves.
A happy caregiver means a happy patient.
What a wonderful post to help us caregivers with ways to handle the everyday stress that come with caregiving!! Thank you for the great advice!
Thanks Holly You know all to well about the stress of care giving.
Thank you for this! I am learning all too well what it means to be a caregiver. These tips and advice will definitely help.
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