Caregiver in Shelby OH
Stress is a natural reaction inside the body. This is the influence that tells you that you are facing a challenge or problem and need to overcome it. The body responds by giving you an intense burst of physical and mental energy sometimes referred to as the fight or flight response. This is because this burst of energy is intended to either help you push through the challenge or to get away from it. While this burst of energy can be extremely beneficial in helping you to get through the challenges that you need to in your daily caregiver journey, it also means that you will undergo a period of tiredness requiring recovery. If you are not able to get the rest that this recovery requires, the stress can continue to wear and tear on your body, leading to a variety of health consequences.
When you are on a caregiver journey with your aging parent it can feel as though you are always under stress rather than just having moments of this reaction. This means that you are unlikely to get the recovery that you need to keep those stress reactions under control. While you may immediately think of the emotional reactions that this stress can cause, such as distraction, irritability, sadness, anxiety, and even anger, there are also many physical health consequences that you can face.
When long periods of stress happen without having adequate periods of rest and recovery it can lead to a negative stress reaction known as distress. This condition can lead to physical health symptoms including:
- Chest pain
- Headaches
- Elevated blood pressure
- Digestive issues
- Sleep disruptions
- Fatigue
- Skin conditions
- Increased risk for many other health concerns including asthma, diabetes, arthritis, and cardiovascular problems
- Muscle aches and pains
These physical health symptoms are not just uncomfortable and unpleasant. Instead, they can put your overall health, wellbeing, and ability to care for your parent appropriately at serious risk. When you are not feeling your best, you are not able to put your energy and focus into your care tasks. This can not only leave your parent without the care and assistance that they need, but can also strain your other relationships as well.
Use these tips to help you protect your physical health from the concerns potentially caused by caregiver stress:
- Pay attention. Do not take any of your symptoms lightly. If you are feeling new or worsened physical symptoms, make sure that you give them the proper attention. The sooner that you acknowledge your stress, the sooner that you will be able to get them under control.
- Give yourself permission. Sometimes the hardest part of taking care of yourself within the context of your caregiver relationship is feeling like you do not “deserve” the time or that you are being “selfish”. Rid yourself of these feelings and give yourself permission to not only acknowledge your own need for care, but to then take the time to give yourself that care.
- Support your health. While stress can impact anyone, it can be particularly difficult for those who are already in not as good of health. Boost your health by eating healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly. This will protect your body and help to minimize the potentially dangerous impact stress can have on it.
If you are considering hiring caregiver services near Shelby, Ohio, call the caring staff at Central Star Home Health at (419) 610-2161. Providing services for families in Mansfield, Lexington, Bellville, Mt. Gilead, Loudonville, Crestline, Galion, Shelby, Ashland, Wooster, and the surrounding areas.
Sources:
http://www.webmd.boots.com/stress-management/physical-stress-symptoms
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/StressManagement/FightStressWithHealthyHabits/What-Is-Stress-Management_UCM_321076_Article.jsp
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