Taking on the role of caregiver for a loved one can be a rewarding but demanding task. It is essentially a full-time job, so if you don’t make time for self-care, it can take a toll on your health and your ability to provide quality care. Here are some tips to manage your well-being and prevent stress.

How Caregivers Can Prevent Burnout

1. Take Care of Your Body

Your body needs adequate sleep, nourishment, and exercise in order to function properly, let alone take care of another person. Make sure you’re not neglecting your own basic needs. Get at least 7 hours of sleep every night, eat healthy meals, stay hydrated, and try to work out for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.

2. Take Breaks for Activities You Enjoy

Finding downtime to focus on yourself can help prevent stress and burnout. Make time in your schedule for relaxing activities that make you happy, like meditation, reading, yoga, or watching feel-good movies. This will have a positive impact on your mental and emotional health, giving you the energy to provide effective care for your loved one.

3. Avoid Overloading Your Schedule

When a senior relative needs assistance with daily tasks, your schedule can fill up quickly. In order to ensure nothing essential is forgotten or neglected, it helps to know your limits and simplify your schedule. Find ways to make daily tasks faster and easier. For example, you can prepare large portions and save leftovers for meals throughout the week, set up auto-pay on bills, and spread out appointments as much as possible.

4. Ask for Help

When you start to feel stressed and overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Ask family members or friends to share responsibilities like chores or running errands. If you think you need time off for personal days or responsibilities, see if someone in your family can pick up caregiver duties. You can also discuss hiring home health care services to assist with basic daily tasks and help lighten your load.

If you or a loved one need help with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) which includes meal preparation, light housekeeping, toileting and bathing, trust the professionals at Deer Valley Home Health Services in St. Louis, MO. There’s also the option of arranging for private duty nurse visits, if you do not qualify for Medicaid. Call (314) 355-3679 to discuss your specific needs, or visit them online to learn more about their services.