Coping With Caregiver Stress

There are many people who must take care of a disabled or sick family member. Alzheimer’s, for example, forces us to spend a large part of our time attending to the multiple needs of said family member. And personal burnout is usually very high. We explain what strategies you can follow to have a better quality of life.

How to care for the person you care for

Caregiver syndrome is very common in our society. With an increasingly aging population and with governments that still do not provide comprehensive care, many people  – and especially women – have to quit their jobs. With this, they mortgage their lives to care for those sick or disabled relatives.

But in any case, it is a gesture of duty and love. Because we are serving people we love, parents who gave everything for us. Children we love who have had the misfortune of either having an accident or perhaps being born with a disability.

We love them, of course. But the wear and tear that sometimes such dedication generates, is wreaking havoc on us. It lowers our spirits, self-esteem and even our strength. Hence, we want to give you some simple guidelines to help you if you are a caregiver.

1. Work on your negative thoughts

When you spend almost 24 hours a day with a sick or disabled person, it is normal for our perception of life to change. That we think that life is cruel for bringing such misfortunes, that our existence is a sad path to travel …

It may be advisable to rationalize all negative thinking. Think that what you do is useful, that you are giving the best of yourself for a person you love. You must feel proud of yourself for what you do, for offering, for caring, for attending …

2. Set times throughout the day

It is not good for you to spend 24 hours with the sick person. We know that sometimes there is no other option, but whenever you can, take turns with other people or social workers who can help you.

Otherwise you can get sick. You must be able to have time a day for yourself, to continue doing what identified you and that made you happy. Even if it’s only a couple of hours: go for a walk with friends, sign up for yoga classes or do what you like the most.

It is essential that you have a space of your own every day, where you can continue to be you, where you safeguard your self-esteem. Don’t just limit yourself to being “the person who cares.” Be yourself, with your own name. Loving yourself and also yours.

3. Manage your anxiety

It is possible that during that time that you take to yourself, you are suffering at the idea that your sick family member is not well cared for. It is also possible that you do not conceive a peaceful and restful sleep at night, fearing that they may need you, that an emergency may arise.

Take a deep breath and rationalize your fears. They don’t have to drop all the responsibilities on your shoulders. You can’t double double or play magic games. You are a person who also needs his time, who needs to take care of himself to be useful to the sick. Hence, it is essential that you learn to manage your anxieties.

When you feel overwhelmed, take a break, ask someone for help, and relax for a moment. Life keeps moving around you and it’s still beautiful. You are doing something useful and you should feel proud, but you also have the right not to lose your identity.

It is very useful, for example, that you learn relaxation and breathing techniques. Hence, yoga stands as a suitable option in these cases.

4. Seek support, help, do not stay isolated

One of the greatest risks for the caregiver is to remain alone in his task, in his responsibility, in his dedication of an uninterrupted day. This can cause us to immediately fall into a depression. And if it happens, we will no longer help the sick person. You have to consider this. So, always try to have the collaboration of other family and friends, as well as the social services of your community.

And we will not only need help for our disabled family member, but also for ourselves. To be able to speak, vent and share. That indispensable support that a good conversation offers us, or even a hug. Someone who tells us that we are brave and special people for giving so much sometimes, for nothing.

Being a caregiver is not easy, it is not something we choose to be. It is something that comes to us at the most unexpected moment and that forces us, possibly, to make the hardest decision of our life. Giving up part of our time to offer a more dignified life to those who are losing it. It is definitely worth it.

But it is essential that you also take care of yourself, that you find your moments throughout the day where you can continue to be yourself, even if it is only a couple of hours a day. From our space we want to give a sense of recognition to all these unique and special people.