If you’re one of the many family caregivers providing care for a senior loved one, the holiday season may feel more overwhelming than joyous. Between your caregiving obligations, cooking, shopping, and family gatherings, finding time for yourself likely gets pushed to the bottom of your to-do list. However, our Michigan home health experts implore you to rethink and reprioritize your self-care this holiday season! Taking care of yourself enables you to take better care of your loved ones. These five simple tips can help reduce the stress of caregiving:
- Eat healthy and feel better Stress often causes us to overeat. When you’re exhausted and not in the mood to make a healthy meal, it’s easy to resort to whatever is handy; fast food, a bag of chips, soda, etc. The healthier your food, the better you’ll feel and perform throughout the day. Pick up a vegetable and fruit tray from the grocery store to have something healthy and easy to snack on.
- Stay active Exercise is the best medicine for stress. It helps you sleep better and wake up refreshed and ready to face another arduous day. Regular exercise boosts both your mental and physical well-being and can help relax muscles that are tense from stress.
- Make sleep a priority This may be easier said than done, especially if you’re caring for someone who tends to wander at night. Still, most people need six to eight hours of sleep a night to maintain good health. Find times to nap during the day, if necessary, or contact Compassionate Care Home Health Services for overnight assistance.
- Make time for yourself Caregiving can easily take control of your life, but you need outside interests, other people, and a way to escape from the constant stress of providing care. Make a standing lunch date with a friend or plan a date night with your spouse once a week.
- Consider joining a support group If you feel alone and isolated in your role as caregiver, talking to other caregivers can help you feel more connected. They’ll know what you’re up against; they’ll understand where you’re coming from. Think of it as therapeutic socializing—you’re not actually escaping from your role as caregiver.
As a family caregiver, one of the best gifts you can give to yourself and the senior loved one in your care is a partnership with a professional home care agency like Compassionate Care Home Health Services. Our home health care experts understand the stress of caregiving on families, and we can help alleviate some of the pressure by assisting with caregiving tasks, such as laundry, light housekeeping, shopping, and preparing meals, allowing you to find time to take care of yourself so you can be a better caregiver and family member. Give us a call at 877.308.1212 or fill out our online contact form to learn more about our elder care in Saginaw, MI and the surrounding areas.