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| Reducing Caregiver Stress: Rule #1 |
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Everybody needs "decompression time". Before you took on the responsibilities of caring for your mom or dad, you built in time for yourself. You had hobbies, visited with friends, went to movies, and took vacations. Remember how refreshed you were coming back to work after a one-week vacation? Or the sense of relaxation as you knitted a sweater for a child? Or the fun you had laughing with your friends over dinner? If it was important before you started as a caregiver, it's triple that now. Before you start telling me how difficult it is for you to find the time for yourself, let me tell, you I already know that. Because you are spending so much time and emotion focused on the single task of caring, getting away is that much more important. Care giving is stressful. If you're just getting started, promise yourself you'll build in pressure relief time now. If you've been at it awhile and feeling overwhelmed, heed this warning: Care giving can be hazardous to your health! Not taking time for yourself leads to caregiver burnout. Burnout can lead to depression and illness or even worse, landing yourself in the hospital. Rule #1 is to take care of you. This may sound selfish, but it's not. If you are the support and you collapse, so does the care for your loved one. |