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What Are the Best Ways to Keep Yourself Going as a Family Caregiver?

August 23, 2016

Caregivers in Jupiter Island FL

Caregivers in Jupiter Island FLBeing a family caregiver is tough. And when you're starting to feel like you're running on empty, there are some things you can do to turn that feeling around.
Beat Afternoon Fatigue without Tons of Caffeine All too often those afternoon slumps hit and you reach for something with a ton of caffeine or, worse still, a ton of sugar. But then by the time evening hits, you're crashing again. That's a vicious cycle that just gets worse instead of better. Try instead grabbing a full glass of water and a serving of vegetables or fruits. This can help jumpstart your body without crashing you later.
Keep Your Brain Active Your brain gets a workout every day, definitely, but it needs other types of "exercise," too. Try playing games or working with puzzles of all types for just a few minutes a day. This gives your brain something fun to tinker with that doesn't involve solving a problem or sorting out an issue.
Change up Your Routine Now and Again Routines are great for keeping you on target and helping you to hit goals, but well, they're routine. Every now and again your brain and your body need you to take a step outside of your normal routine for a while. This might mean that you try new routes home from work or errands or you try different exercise routines. Take a look at all the areas of your life that you might have gotten into a rut and experiment with ways to shake things up a little bit.
Eat Healthy Fats Too many people avoid healthy fats because they don't want to become fat. The truth is that healthy fats help all of the different parts of your body stay healthy, especially your brain. So look for foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids and other healthy fats. Leafy green vegetables, nuts, olive oil, and fish are just a few sources for these healthy fats.
Start Exercising Regularly If you're not already exercising regularly, you need to be. Make it a point to start moving a little bit every day. This might be a brisk walk around the neighborhood or even an impromptu dance party mid-morning. Whatever works for you is what you should stick with. Look for the techniques that work the best for you and make sure they become part of your tool kit.
If you or an aging loved one are considering caregivers in Jupiter Island, FL, contact the caring staff at BrightStar Care of Jupiter. Call today (561) 741-1200.