Being responsible for the care of someone else can be physically and mentally exhausting. If you don’t look after your own health, you could experience burnout – this is when you become so exhausted that you fall ill. This could leave your loved one with no-one to look after them, while putting you at risk of developing a chronic disease too. Below are some tips on how you can avoid caregiver burnout.
Don’t sacrifice sleep
Lack of sleep will quickly wear you out. Ideally, you should be getting at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night. If your sleep is constantly interrupted because you have to attend to your loved one, consider whether you are able to catch up on sleep during the day by taking a nap. It’s also important that you’re not staying up too late if you’re certain to get up early – while you need your own personal time, it shouldn’t come at the expense of rest.
Explore stress management techniques
Stress can also lead to burnout. Looking after a loved one can be stressful at times, but it’s important that you find ways to manage this stress. Try to find humour in things that go wrong and celebrate the small victories. When you have time to yourself, consider meditating or taking a long bath or immersing yourself in a hobby – anything that helps you to de-stress.
Make time for yourself
You need time for yourself to pursue interests, socialise and practise self-care. Consider scheduling time for yourself each week rather than taking it as it comes. Having a routine will also make it easier to arrange support – which could include hiring professional carers to come in, or asking friends and family to take over.
Ask friends and family for help
Speaking of friends and family, it is key that you’re not doing all the caregiving alone – especially if it’s become an unpredictable 24/7 job. If you feel you are struggling and need help, do not hide this from those around you. You need to open up in order to help people understand that you need help. Some family members and friends may offer their support freely. If they don’t do this, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Those who are close relations – especially those living with you – should be particularly encouraged to do their bit to help out.
Consider respite care
Many senior care homes and disabled facilities are able to offer respite care. This involves your loved one staying at a care home for a week or a few weeks to give you a break. This is a good option if you don’t want your loved one to go into a care home full time, but occasionally need some time off to breathe. It could be necessary if you feel yourself getting exhausted and could give you the freedom to take trips away while knowing that your loved one is in safe hands.
Conclusion
Caregiver burnout is serious and even the strongest-willed people can be susceptible to it. By taking the above measures, you can prevent yourself from experiencing burnout and provide your loved one with the care they need while also looking after yourself.
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