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Caregiver Self-Care: 5 Tips for Taking a Break

Caregiver burnout is a reality for anyone to takes care of someone else. It happens to parents, professional caregivers, and adult children taking care of senior parents.

If you don’t prioritize self care, you will experience burnout.

Burnout can cause stress, anxiety, and depression. For you to give the best care you can, you must ensure you’re taken care of first.

Not sure how to incorporate self care into your life? Keep reading for five caregiver self care tips.

1. Set Personal Goals

When your life is devoted to someone else’s, your own goals take a backseat. Of course, you want your loved one to get stronger and healthier. But what about you?

Try to set some personal goals for yourself. You could make monthly and annual goals.

Do you want to run a marathon? Do you want to perform at an open mic night? Carve out 30 minutes each day to devote to your personal goals.

2. Connect with Supportive Peers

We all need support, no matter what career or life phase we’re in. To hold yourself to a different standard is unrealistic and unfair.

Try to connect with supportive friends or family every week. You could talk on the phone with a friend or have dinner with family.

There are also caregiver support groups for people who understand your stress. Embrace friendships with people who know how to support your self care journey.

3. Ask for Help

Do you feel in over your head taking care of a loved one? Depending on the needs of your elderly parent, you could be drowning in responsibilities.

There is nothing wrong with asking for help.

If you have siblings or close family members to lean on, tell them what’s going on. Ask them to take one day a week of care so you can have a day off. 

Ensure you trust the person helping you with caregiving duties. Nursing home abuse is a real concern. If you choose to hire professional care services, do your research and vet them well.   

4. Express Yourself

It’s common for caregivers to bottle up their emotions and stress. But, those feelings will build until they get released.

Practice expressing your emotions every day. That could be through journaling, talking to a loved one, or therapy.

Consider using art to decompress each day. Painting and drawing are incredibly therapeutic hobbies.

5. Laugh Every Day

It’s scientifically proven that laughter reduces stress. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with your caregiving duties, find ways to laugh more.

That could mean watching funny animal videos on your lunch break or watching stand-up comedy specials on Netflix.

See the humor in common mistakes and mishaps. It’ll lessen the stress you feel and help prevent burnout.

Interested in Learning More Caregiver Self Care Tips?

Your elderly parent will receive better care if you prioritize your health first. Use the caregiver self care tips above to fill your cup before filling theirs.

For more advice on maintaining your health, read the other blog posts on our website. We provide tips on men’s, women’s, and children’s health.