What Can You Do Just for You to Reduce Stress?

Caregivers need all the help that they can get in reducing stress levels. One of the biggest ways to do this is to start doing certain things just because they work for you.

Exercise

It might not be your favorite thing to do, but exercise can help you to feel better both emotionally and physically. Getting some movement in every day also helps you to get the sleep that you need to get up rested and start taking care of everyone all over again.

Journal

When you're having a tough time managing your emotions or you simply want to be able to remember this time later, keeping a journal gives you a powerful tool. Consider using your journal in a variety of different ways to help you determine how you're feeling and purge those emotions in a safe way.

Delegate

You might not think of delegating tasks as something you can do just for you, but it really is. When you have the ability to delegate and assign tasks to other people, you're giving yourself permission to not have to worry about those tasks any longer. This ultimately frees you up to do the things that really matter, like caring for your aging adult.

Keep Laughing

Laughter does so much for your body and your brain. When you can continue to see the humor in all sorts of situations, you're not focusing solely on the negative and on what's wrong. Find ways to laugh every day, no matter what else is going on.

Eat Properly

What you eat is the fuel that your body uses to keep you going day in and day out. When you're putting junk food into your body, it doesn't have what it needs to keep you running at peak performance. If you need to change your eating habits, start with small changes that you can stick to and then add more gradually.

Just Be

Doing nothing is perfectly valid, but society tends to frown on it. As a family caregiver, you're constantly going and doing. Take the time to simply sit and be for a little while. This helps your brain to calm down and gives you some space in the midst of chaos.

Remember that if you're not getting what you need, you can't give others what they need from you. It's not selfish to take care of yourself, especially when you're a family caregiver.

IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE ARE CONSIDERING HIRING IN-HOME CAREGIVERS IN LAKE SHORE EAST, IL, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT BRIGHTSTAR CARE CHICAGO. CALL TODAY: 312.382.8888.