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How To Keep Your Caregiving “Battery” Fully Charged

Friday, April 23, 2021

Ever feel like your batteries are just running on empty? It’s not uncommon to feel worn out after a hard day’s work. But when you’re a caregiver, that hard day’s work stretches into weeks, months and sometimes even years. That means that it’s very easy to run the risk of draining your batteries on a regular basis without having a chance to recharge them, says Fred Kelly, Executive Director of Bridges® by EPOCH at Pembroke , a Memory Care Assisted Living community in Pembroke, MA.

“To be frank, a lot of caregivers don’t know what they’re getting into when they sign up to care for a loved one and don’t realize how much stress, anxiety and work it will be,” Fred explains. “When you don’t take the time to care for yourself and do things to relieve your stress and exhaustion, it can have very real consequences on your health, in your relationships and your overall mental well-being.”

This, he says, can lead to caregiver burnout, which is a state of total exhaustion. “Caregiver burnout occurs when you stop paying attention to what you need and neglect caring for yourself,” he says. “So, we always tell caregivers to remember that you can’t properly care for your loved one without caring for yourself, first.”

In other words, you can’t be the best possible caregiver until you charge your caregiver batteries. Fortunately, there are some simple and easy ways you can take time throughout the day to give yourself a boost – even if you’re a busy caregiver.

Tips for ‘Charging Your Battery’ Throughout the Day

Add an extra serving of fruit and vegetables to your meals.

Most of us don’t get enough fruits and vegetables in our diet. The rule of thumb is to get five to seven servings of fruit and vegetables daily, which sounds like a lot – but it doesn’t have to be a lot of work. Eat a banana with your breakfast cereal, enjoy some celery sticks and carrots with your sandwich at lunch and grill a few vegetables to add to your evening meal. Eat an apple with peanut butter for a snack, and voila – you’ve gotten your daily dose.

Take time to be mindful.

Mindfulness and meditation are excellent techniques to help soothe the mind, reduce stress and drop anxiety levels. And you don’t have to spend a long time doing them to see the benefits! Start by doing simple breathing exercises when you have a few spare moments. Sit down in a comfortable place (or even stand in a comfortable location) and take long, deep, slow breaths for 10 inhales and exhales. You’ll immediately feel yourself becoming less stressed, more energized and calmer. This is a good thing to do first thing in the morning when you get up and right before you go to sleep at night. As the practice becomes more natural, increase the amount of time as you see fit and maybe move on to different techniques, like meditation or yoga practice.

Get 30 minutes of exercise each day.

It may seem impossible to squeeze anything else into your busy day, but here’s the good news: “exercise” doesn’t have to mean going to the gym. It also doesn’t mean you have to carve 30 minutes out of your day all at once – you can break it up into 5 or 10 minute chunks if that’s easier. Do leg lifts while you’re working at the counter, take a brisk walk after dinner or dig in the garden – whatever you enjoy and is easiest for you.

Do something that makes you happy.

Being a caregiver doesn’t mean that you have to put aside the enjoyable things in life. Sure, you may not be able to jump into the car and take a day trip at a moment’s notice, there are also countless opportunities to find joy and fulfillment each day. Perhaps that’s having a daily phone call with your sister or laughing over a funny cat video or watching the birds at the bird feeder. Take time each day to recognize the things that make you smile and make you happy.

Ask for help.

Are you feeling overwhelmed? Then ask for help. The worst thing you can do as a caregiver is to take on all the responsibilities by yourself. Take a hard look at your workload and abilities and be realistic about what you can and can’t do. Ask family members, friends and professional caregivers to help shoulder the load so you can provide the best possible quality of life for your loved one (and yourself).

Connect with a friend.

Many studies have shown that the happiest people are the ones who continue to nurture the relationships that matter most. As a caregiver, it can sometimes feel hard to stay in touch with others, but those relationships will boost your emotional health and provide you the center you need to recalibrate and focus your efforts. Schedule regular conversations with your friends, whether it’s a phone call or an in-person coffee date. Make time for your family, children and other family members. You’ll find yourself feeling more fulfilled, happy and recharged.

Get a good night’s sleep.

Sleep is our body’s reset button, and we’re sure you’ve noticed just how much better you feel (and life seems) after a good night’s sleep. So make your bedroom a haven for sleep and create a bedtime routine that gets you in a relaxed, sleepy state of mind. Start by turning off screens for at least an hour before bed. Do something that relaxes you, like sipping a cup of herbal tea or taking a nice, not bath. Make sure that your bedroom is set up for sleep success – it’s not too hot or cold, the lights are low enough and it’s quiet. Consider investing in blackout curtains or a white noise machine if you find yourself waking up due to light or noise. Finally, try to go to bed and get up at around the same time every day.

Be kind to yourself.

We can be awfully hard on ourselves, and many caregivers will feel guilty, or frustrated, or angry on a regular basis. You may have that little voice in your head that’s telling you you’re not doing enough or not doing a good job. That’s enough to drain even someone who’s doing all the right things already. Instead, listen when that inner voice is saying those mean things, and then shut it down. Give yourself permission to recognize all the good you do. When you beat yourself up, stop and instead think of things you’re happy for, or things you’re doing well. When you treat yourself well, you’ll feel better – guaranteed.

Expert, Life-Enriching Memory Care

Bridges® by EPOCH at Pembroke provides memory care assisted living that is comfortable, positive, safe and engaging. Exclusively dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, our community promotes a wellness-focused lifestyle that emphasizes dignity and individual preferences. Our memory care professionals receive specialized, ongoing training designed to help residents maximize their independence in a secure, calm environment – making a truly positive impact on the lives of our residents.

Inspiring Programs for All Stages

Bridges® by EPOCH at Pembroke’s services are designed to recognize and adapt to the unique challenges and individuality of each resident, while ensuring comfort and safety. We believe in a full-service approach to care and provide personalized attention and programming for residents in every stage of memory loss.

Purposefully Designed Community

Within a beautiful residential design, Bridges® by EPOCH at Pembroke provides everything residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia need to enjoy comfort, familiarity and security. Soft colors, directional cues, aromatherapy and interactive life stations create a soothing and secure environment where residents feel at home.

Bridges® by EPOCH is New England’s largest stand-alone memory care assisted living provider.

Contact us today to learn more.

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