Do you know the warning signs when stress is getting to a critical point? Did you snap at the McDonald’s cashier for messing up your order? Did you begin to cry because you couldn’t find your reading glasses? Perhaps someone’s driving sent you into a fit of rage. When stress is at a high level, these common occurrences can seem like major events.
We all experience stress to different degrees. One person’s stress threshold may be high or it could just seem that way because they are normally operating at a lower level of pressure. Some people experience stress in physical ways such as losing sleep, unexplained digestive issues, headaches, and muscle tension.
Too often we wait until stress is overwhelming before doing something about it. This is especially true for caregivers. Taking time for self care seems like a luxury when really it should be treated the same as brushing your teeth or washing your hands. We can’t take care of anyone else if we are not taking care of ourselves.
Creating good boundaries and tuning in to warning signs is a healthy and necessary way to prevent burnout from overwhelming stress. Say no when you are too busy. Seriously contemplate what you are committing to before you do it. Ask family and friends for help with projects, respite, and small errands when life gets chaotic. People feel good when they help others. Give them that positive boost!
We will always have stress in our lives, but we can acquire skills to become more capable of handling it.
Two evidence-based workshops available through CareWell Services’ Caregiver Resource Center include Powerful Tools for Caregivers and Diabetes Personal Action Toward Heath (PATH). These workshops devote a considerable amount of time presenting skills on stress management. A new session of Powerful Tools for Caregivers will start in January and run for six weeks at the Barry County Commission on Aging. You can register for this workshop online or by calling (269) 966-2450.
The Caregiver Resource Center is also open Monday through Friday from 2:00 pm to 4:00pm, and offers information to caregivers, as well as online resources and programs to reinforce skills.
CareWell Services also hosts weekly Lunch & Learns which regularly feature presentations on ways to reduce stress and improve quality of life, as well as highlighting available resources. Our exercise classes also provide opportunities to move and socialize. See the CareWell calendar for program events, exercise, and Lunch & Learn topics.