Family Caregivers in Mansfield OH
If you’re feeling more overwhelmed than usual, you may be experiencing something called caregiver stress. This is a situation in which you’re finding your normal daily activities as a caregiver more frustrating than usual and you’re likely ignoring your own needs in order to meet the needs of other people in your life. Here are some questions to ask yourself if you suspect that stress or burnout are affecting you.
Are You Angry More than Usual?
Sometimes anger can sneak up on you, and it can also camouflage other emotions, such as frustration. If you find that you’re frustrated or angry more than usual, it’s possible that the stress you’re under is getting to you more than you realize. You might feel anger about little things or even about feeling that you don’t get help from anyone else in your family. You may even feel angry, but not know why.
Do You Wake up Feeling Exhausted?
It’s normal to wake up now and again feeling a little tired, but are you feeling more and more like you’re still just bone tired when you wake up? This can be an indication that you’re having sleep problems, such as difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, or it can be an indication that you’re dealing with some feelings of depression. Your doctor can diagnose this more readily, but it’s important to at least ask yourself the question.
Are You Feeling Anxious and Withdrawn?
Taking care of an elderly loved one leaves you with a lot of worries about her care, but if you find that you’re feeling anxiety more often, this can be a sign of bigger problems. You might also feel as though you can’t leave your loved one or that it’s selfish to spend time with other people besides your loved one. These feelings could be a precursor to depression or just a sign that you’re overly stressed.
Can You Concentrate on Your Life?
If you find that you’re constantly thinking about your loved one, her health, and aspects of her life that you need to sort out rather than your own life, that can be a sign that you’re under too much stress. This often poses problems at work and at home, which leaves you feeling even more stressed out.
Are You Eating Poorly or Choosing Crutches You’d Rather Avoid?
Often when you’re feeling stressed out, you make different choices than you might when you’re feeling in control. You might opt for junk food, for example, rather than foods that are high in vitamins and minerals that keep you going. You might also be more likely to have an extra glass of wine with dinner or take up smoking again, which are habits that can derail your efforts to keep yourself healthy.
If you think that you’re dealing with caregiver stress, it’s important to find ways to give yourself space to recover so you can be a better caregiver to your loved one.
If you or an aging loved on are considering hiring home care services to help the family caregiver in Mansfield OH, please contact the caring staff at Central Star Home Health Services. Call today: 419-610-2161
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