Whether you become a caregiver gradually or all of a sudden due to a crisis, taking care of a loved one with an illness or disability can stir up some complicated emotions, especially when you are caring for someone day in and day out. Not paying attention to your feelings can lead to poor sleep, illness, and trouble coping.
Emotions are a vital part of our everyday lives. Whether you’re having a good laugh or feeling frustrated, you know that the highs and lows you experience can significantly affect your well-being. If your emotionally off-kilter or struggling with a short fuse, you may not be sleeping enough. You’ll have better success at managing your emotions when getting a sufficient amount of sleep.
When you caring for someone on a daily basis, it’s hard not to get overwhelmed once in a while. Between juggling work, family, and other commitments, you can become too stressed out and busy. But you need to set time aside to unwind or your mental and physical health can suffer.
According to womenshealth.gov here are some ways to reduce caregiver stress.
Other ways to manage stress and emotions include:
- Exercise
- Deep Breathing
- Eat Well
- Respite Care
- Go Easy on yourself – Accept that you can’t do things perfectly no matter how hard you try. You also can’t control everything in your life.
Help can come from community resources, family, friends, and professionals. Ask them. Don’t wait until you are overwhelmed and exhausted or your health fails. Reaching out for help when you need it is a sign of personal strength. When your needs are taken care of, the person that you care for will benefit.