Home Care near Lititz, PA – Taking Care of Yourself First Matters
It isn’t a secret; the demands of caregiving can extract a steep emotional toll (or stress). Research shows that half of caregivers don’t get to spend enough time with their family and friends, and a third of caregivers experience high stress levels. If this stress is not checked, it can take a toll on the caregiver’s health, state of mind, as well as relationships. Before taking care of other people, you need to take care of yourself. Below are 8 tips for stress relief for family caregivers.
- Look for Help
Research shows that over 72% of caregivers do their duties or work without seeking for any outside help. If you want to relieve yourself from stress, you can recruit any family member or friend that is willing to help you. Hiring a professional non-medical caregiver can also be very helpful when it comes to stress relief. Home care services are great for offering you days off and still meeting your senior parent’s needs. Reaching out for help is something that you should never feel guilty for doing.
- Make and Keep Your Medical Appointments
Ensure that you get an annual medical checkup. Even though care giving presents many excuses for missing the required checkups, make an effort to avoid it. You are far more important to the individual you are taking care of when you are healthy and strong than when you are sick and weak.
- Maintain a Balanced Diet
Eat a balanced diet. In your diet, include plenty of vegetables, fresh fruits, proteins, beans, nuts, and grains. Resolving to sugar, caffeine and fast food as quick “pick-me-ups” will only let your health and mental state down.
- Exercise Regularly
Work out on a regular basis and/or do something that you love doing. Swimming, biking, walking, running or dancing for at least 20 minutes, three times a week may be very helpful. Tai-chi is one of the most popular stress management exercises that are known to be very effective.
- Meditate
Every time you get overwhelmed by your responsibilities as a family caregiver, find a quiet place, sit still and breathe deeply while keeping your mind as quiet as possible. Even though you often feel too busy to have a minute for yourself, you need to take that break and have that minute.
- Don’t Ignore Your Feelings, Deal with Them
Bottling up your emotions will only make it worse. Get a family member or friend that you can share your frustrations with. Talking to a co-worker who is in a similar situation may also be very helpful.
- Take a Break
Arrange for some fill-in help from a friend, family member, volunteer or another professional caregiver. Taking a one-day or one-week vacation may be very helpful for you. Use that time to do things that you always desire to do; for instance reading a novel.
- Reward Yourself by Indulging In Something That Makes You Feel Good
Go and get yourself a manicure or massage. You may also go out to a nice dinner or concert. This will help you get away from the situations that are stressing you for some hours.
If you or an aging loved one are considering home care services near Lititz, PA area, contact the caring staff at Extended Family Care of Lancaster. Call today and we will answer all of your questions about elder care services in the home.
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