Caregiver’s Corner: Managing Stress

April is Stress Awareness Month

As a caregiver, you may be so focused on your loved one that you don’t see how caregiving affects your own health and well-being.

Signs of Caregiver stress include:

Caregiver stress is inevitable when caring for someone you love. It is difficult, but there are ways to help!

• Feeling burdened or worrying all the time.
• Feeling tired often.
• Sleeping too much or not enough.
• Gaining or losing weight.
• Becoming easily irked or angry.
• Losing interest in activities you used to enjoy.
• Feeling sad.
• Having frequent headaches or other pains or health problems.
• Misusing alcohol or drugs, including prescription medicines.
• Missing your own medical appointments.

Tips to manage caregiver stress:

According to the Mayo Clinic, here are some ways to alleviate stress as a caregiver!

• Ask for and accept help (respite, adult daycare, etc.)
• Focus on what you can do.
• Set goals that you can reach.
• Get connected (support groups, classes, etc.)
• Seek social support (group, friends, activities.)
• Take care of your health. Go to the doctor when needed, eat healthy, exercise.

Most importantly, remember you are not alone!

Care Connection has support groups for caregivers, exercise classes and different groups that allow people to connect with others. Call 1-800-748-7826 and ask about our groups.