7 Self-Help Tips for Caregivers

Today, we are talking about self-help tips for caregivers! We appreciate all of our caregivers. They are all making a difference in someone else’s life. Most find caregiving to be a very fulfilling job, but caregiving can also be a very stressful and draining job. According to the Mayo Clinic, here are some signs of stress in caregivers: 

• Always putting yourself on the back burner

• Becoming impatient and frustrated

• Experiencing fatigue or low energy

• Feeling lonely

• Feeling anger or resentment toward the loved one

• Feeling disorganized or overwhelmed

• Feeling nervous or anxious

• Having racing thoughts

• Weeping or crying frequently, which isn’t associated with the grieving process

Caregiving is often challenging, and these are common feelings that many have! Unfortunately, these feelings and actions can decrease the quality of care given to a loved one. Wherever you find yourself, please read on to discover 7 tips that will help you take care of yourself so that you can take better care of your loved one!

Accept & ask for help

Asking for help is difficult! Everyone needs each other, though, and caregiving is not a job to do alone. The National Health on Aging recommends that you begin by asking friends or family to assist you with small tasks! You won’t regret asking for help, and most likely, others will be happy to lend a hand.

Exercise

Let’s get moving! Exercise helps decrease our stress hormones (cortisol and adrenaline) and increase endorphins, which help us have a better mood. The Mayo Clinic recommends around 30 minutes of exercise each day. They encourage at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of intense aerobic exercise each week. Whether you are going for a jog or a walk, try to fit some exercise in! Just remember that some exercise is better than no exercise!

Get Your Sleep

Sleep is so essential! Make sure you are getting enough sleep. Generally the recommended amount of sleep is 7-9 hours each night for an adult. Some people probably need more sleep than others, but this is a good goal to shoot for.

Do something you enjoy!

Do you enjoy reading? Being outside? Going out with friends? Take time for that hobby or activity that you don’t feel like you have time for. It is not always practical, but it is always good to refresh yourself by doing something you find pleasurable.

Don’t overexpect

It’s easy to expect too much out of yourself or the person you care for. Keep your goals realistic each day. Some days may exceed your expectations, and some days won’t. Be flexible, people aren’t always predictable!

Keep up with your health

The National Health on Aging encourages caregivers to make time for that doctor’s appointment! This is not advice that everyone wants to hear, but if you want to be there for your loved one, you need to make sure that you are in good health yourself! Make sure you are strong so that you can be strong for others.

Get away!

Whether you go to a coffee shop for a few hours or go on a week-long vacation, you may just need to get some time away! Maybe ask someone to watch your loved one for a few hours or look into respite care. Everyone needs a break sometime! 

It may be easy to think that these tips are not necessary, and maybe you already have a good balance of taking care of yourself and others. But, especially if you work full time as a caregiver, it might be good to consider prioritizing some of these tips. When you do, we hope that you will be able to give your loved one the highest quality of care!

Home Court Home Care would love to help your family if you are caring for a friend or loved one at home!  We offer multiple programs to fit your unique caregiving situation.  Through financial support, caregiver coaching, and connecting you to community resources - we are here to help!  Call us today at 260-333-1114 to find out more.  

Sources:

Cormell, S. (2023, June 30). Tips to manage caregiving, self-care. Mayo Clinic Health System. https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/featured-topic/caregiving-self-care-during-beyond-the-covid-19-pandemic 

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2023, July 26). How much exercise do you really need?. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/expert-answers/exercise/faq-20057916 

Taking care of yourself: Tips for caregivers | National Institute on Aging. National Institute on Aging. (2023, October 12). https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/caregiving/taking-care-yourself-tips-caregivers