Caregiver in Folsom CA
Though most of your time and effort as a caregiver will be devoted to making sure that your aging parent’s needs are met as they age in place, it is vital that you do not overlook your own needs during this time. Whether your care journey is relatively brief or it lasts for years. You must be sure to take the time and put forth the effort to take care of yourself throughout it. This not only ensures that you can be the best possible caregiver for your aging parent, but also that you will remain healthy and strong for the life that awaits you once your care journey comes to an end.
Use these tips to help you care for yourself in your caregiver journey:
- Find something to laugh about every day. The old adage that laughter is the best medicine has a lot of truth to it. Laughing regularly really does make an impact on your mental and emotional health, and can actually improve physical wellbeing as well. Laughing, even if it is faked, triggers the brain to release endorphins. These are the “feel-good” chemicals that create a sense of calm, happiness, and wellbeing. This means that when you laugh, you convince yourself that you are happy, having fun, and doing well. Laughing also helps to keep the lungs stronger, reduces pain signals, and increases the body’s immune response so you are better able to stay healthy.
- Eat a healthy diet. You encourage your aging parent to eat a healthy diet, but then you subsist on leftovers from their plate, whatever you can toss in your day bag in the morning before leaving home, and prepacked or fast food. This can have a seriously negative effect on your health and quality of life. Focusing on eating a healthy, well-balanced diet will improve your physical health, which will in turn support a better outlook on your care efforts and the rest of your life as well.
- Allow yourself to cry. If you are like most caregivers, you frequently encounter moments in your care journey when you want to cry. This can be caused by stress, fatigue, a particularly difficult challenge with your parent, or just the emotional realizations that you go through as a caregiver. Do not always fight these tears. Take some time to yourself and allow yourself to cry them out. This will release tension, ease stress, and prepare your mind for a healthier approach to the next challenge that you will face.
- Keep looking forward to things. Being a caregiver is challenging and time consuming, but that does not mean that there is not more to life. Keep looking forward to things that you love. Plan date nights with your partner, have outings with your friends, and go on adventures with your child. Whether they are as small as having ice cream with your partner at the end of the day or as big as a vacation, these things give you a “light at the end of the tunnel” and help you to feel less stressed, stronger, and happier throughout your care journey.
If you or an aging loved one needs caregiver services in Folsom, CA, remember Senior Home Care Services. Call us at (916) 514-7006 for more information.
Source: http://www.helpguide.org/articles/emotional-health/laughter-is-the-best-medicine.htm
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