How to Take Care of Yourself as a Family Caregiver When You Feel Overwhelmed

Being a family caregiver is a mixed bag at times. There are lots of aspects of caregiving that are rewarding, but it can also be incredibly demanding. Family caregivers deal with a lot, and it can feel impossible to manage. When they get overwhelmed, family caregivers need to know how to take the best possible care of themselves, so they can keep doing all the things they do. Respite care services can be a big part of the solution.

Go to Sleep a Few Minutes Earlier

It might sound like an idea that doesn’t do much, but going to sleep even just a few minutes earlier can pay off for family caregivers. When they’re overwhelmed, they’re likely not getting enough rest at all, so trying to get a few extra minutes of sleep on the front end of the night is a good plan. This can also keep them from trying to do “just one more thing” before hitting the sack way too late.

Take a Walk

Exercise does the body and the brain a world of good, especially for family caregivers. When they’re feeling overwhelmed, a walk releases endorphins, gets their blood flowing, and warms up their muscles. Afterward, they’re more likely to feel as if they can handle what is headed their way next. Taking a walk with aging family members is great, but it also helps to leave seniors with professional caregivers and take a walk alone.

Meet Up with a Friend

Social engagements fall by the wayside for family caregivers more often than not. When home care providers are with seniors making sure they’re taken care of, it’s a lot easier for family caregivers to take some time for themselves. Meeting up with a friend for lunch or coffee to catch up can leave family caregivers feeling much more refreshed when they come back.

Make Time for a Hobby

Hobbies are another thing that family caregivers might have forgotten about. The thing is, hobbies are fantastic for managing stress, helping people regulate their emotions, and giving their brains a little bit of a break. Solving craft-related problems or dealing with hobby-related issues is a slightly different task than keeping seniors safe at home, so it can work different parts of the brain. It also brings a lot of joy and a sense of accomplishment.

Join a Support Group

Sometimes what family caregivers really need is to talk it out with someone who understands. A therapist is a great option, but often a support group made up of other family caregivers offers just the right type of help. Family caregivers can get ideas from other people in similar situations, vent about frustrations, and talk to people who are in the trenches with them.

All of this is so much easier to do with the help of respite care services. Respite care providers can be there as often as family caregivers need them to be in order to take care of themselves. When family caregivers take better care of themselves and figure out how to avoid feeling overwhelmed, they can be there for the seniors they love.

If you or an aging loved one are considering respite care in Bronxville, NY, please contact the caring staff at Griswold Care Pairing for Scarsdale & Yonkers today. (914) 337-5028.