Do you know the warning signs when stress is getting to a critical point? Did you snap at the waitress 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.
Too often we wait until stress is overwhelming before doing something about it. This is especially true for caregivers. People may experience headaches, extreme fatigue, digestive problems, and agitation. Sleep can also be affected by stress and becomes a vicious cycle of not sleeping due to stress and feeling exhaustion due to lack of sleep. The more tired a person is, the less apt they are at regulating emotions and making quality decisions.
The truth is, we can’t take care of anything if we are not taking care of ourselves. While self-care might seem like a luxury, it should be viewed the same as brushing your teeth or washing your hands. Self-care isn’t just spa days and weekend getaways. It’s intentional time set aside to attend to our own wellbeing. Planning a moment to read a book, talk on the phone with a friend, go for a walk, watch a favorite show, eat a healthy meal, or listen to an inspirational podcast are all simple ways to care for our mental and physical health.
Creating good boundaries is also a healthy way to prevent burnout from stress. Say no when you are too busy. Contemplate how you are spending your time and prioritize the activities of most value. Ask family and friends for help with caregiving duties, home projects, and small errands. People feel good when they help others; allow them a positive boost!
We will always have stress in our lives, but we can acquire skills to become more capable of handling it. Pay attention to the physical and emotional warning signs as they are messages about your state of being. Be choosy about your commitments and plan time to do valued activities. Self-care is not selfish; it is an essential practice.
CareWell has several programs that address stress management such as Powerful Tools for Caregivers and Diabetes PATH. Our Lunch & Learns regularly feature presentations on ways to reduce stress and improve quality of life, as well as highlighting available resources. Our Caregiver Resource Center is also open five days a week from 2:00- 4:00 and offers information and computers for research. Trualta is a specially designed website providing caregivers with online support groups, articles, videos, and other opportunities to engage. Our exercise classes engage the body and relax the mind. Visit the CareWell Events Calendar to learn more about program events, exercise, and lunch & Learn topics.