Caregiver Stress: Reduce Burnout as Soon as Possible

Caregiver Stress: Reduce Burnout as Soon as Possible

 

Taking care of someone is a rewarding experience. It is perhaps the highest form of love. However, it can also be very stressful. As a caregiver, you're almost always on call. You also have to deal with the feeling of losing someone, especially if he or she is deeply close to you. Worse, you're placed in charge of someone else's well-being.

 

Coping with Stress

 

Caregiver stress is very common, but that doesn't mean it's something you cannot cope effectively. Here are some good tips:

 

Be aware of the common symptoms of stress. You're likely under a high level of stress if you experience the following:

 

• Change in appetite
• Change in bowel movements
• Digestive problems
• Mood swings
• Irritability
• Depression or anxiety
• Loss of concentration or critical thinking
• Loss of interest to continue taking care of someone
• Change in sleeping habits

 

Find a time for yourself. To properly manage stress, you need to look for a way to find time just for yourself. It doesn't matter if it's only for a few minutes. The most important thing is you can separate yourself from the stressors for a while and give yourself a chance to feel rejuvenated.

 

Share the load. You don't have to take care of someone all on your own. Who knows, you have families and friends who are more than willing to help out. You can even schedule shifts, so you don't have to spend all your energies to giving care alone.

 

Keep yourself healthy. It's doubly stressful if you also need to be taken care of. Besides, someone depends on you for their life. It is your responsibility to take good care of yourself.

 

This may mean maintaining a good diet and exercising. Get as much sleep as you can and learn to relax.

 

Join a support group. One of the best stress tips is to be with people who are in the same boat as you. Sure, you can talk about your feelings and thoughts with your friends and family, but you will get the best understanding from other caregivers.

 

You can definitely find a lot of organizations, both offline and online, that will be more than willing to accept you. Virtually all of them come up with support group sessions where members meet and talk about certain issues.

 

Feel yourself with gratitude. If you feel that your stress is kicking in and it's preventing you from providing the right kind of care to your loved one, you may want to take a pause and say a simple thank you. Be glad you're given a chance to serve someone.

 

Use subliminal messages. Another of the many stress management tips is to speak of affirmations such as the following:

 

I am thankful for this day.

I am glad for this opportunity.

I can beat stress.

Stress doesn't have any hold on me.

 

Speak these positive lines as often as you can every day. What happens? You'll soon discover they slowly become your new truths.

 

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