Caregiver in Wexford | Interim HealthCare of Pittsburgh

5 Tips for Self-Care When You’re a Family Caregiver

Caring for a loved one is an important job that can be rewarding. However, over time, taking care of your own needs can also become difficult, leading to burnout. Moreover, many caregivers feel guilty about taking time away from their loved ones. Yet, a break allows you to feel better and return refreshed and energized. 

Before exhaustion takes a toll, make sure you’re following some of these tips to maintain your own well-being and health:

• Know the signs. Be aware of red flags of caregiver burnout, such as impatience, irritability and a negative change in your mood, loss of appetite, lack of sleep, difficulty concentrating, and lack of interest in usual activities.
• Maintain physical health. Take care of yourself physically with enough rest, hydration, healthy meals, and getting exercise. Not only does movement keep you strong, but it reduces stress and tension. 
• Find ways to relieve stress. Besides exercise, find other ways to reduce stress in your life, such as listening to soothing music, taking a hot bath, going for a walk, or spending time with your other family and friends. 
• Open up to your family. Talk to the rest of your family about ways they can help. Maybe they can’t spend hours with your loved one every week, but they can handle errands and grocery shopping.
• Get help. Know when it’s time to get help from a professional caregiver in the Wexford area. If caregiving is becoming overwhelming, a professional can step in to provide respite care and give you a much-deserved break. 

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