How to Take Care of You, the Caregiver
While care-giving may be gratifying, the daily challenges can take a toll on your health. But experts in the field have good advice to help you maintain your physical mental well being.
Set Priorities
When you're a caregiver, it can seem like everything needs to get done at once. But doing what's important and letting some things go for a while may help your day go smoother. Dividing up big jobs into several small ones and staying focused on what can get done will help keep you feeling positive. This may include saying no to some activities that decrease personal time or quality time with your loved ones.
Deal with Stress
Caregiving can be stressful. Researchers from Cornell University, in a 2014 article in the Journal of the American Medical Association, add that spending long hours caregiving, living with the person you're caring for, and caring for someone with dementia can raise stress to markedly high levels. Getting help from family and friends when possible or joining a support group can help lighten the load. Taking a respite while a trusted friend or family member looks after your loved one can also help.
Don’t Forget Your Own Health
The inevitable stress associated with being caregiver can lead to health problems in some people. Experts recommend:
- Proper nutrition.
A healthy diet is low in fat and includes lots of fruit and vegetables. Consider talking to a nutritionist if you need help with planning meals or with weight control.
- Exercise.
Physical activity helps reduce stress and can improve your health and stamina. Talk to your doctor about the types and amount of exercise that's right for you.
- Stress management.
If you feel stress, anxiety, or feelings of depression are getting the upper hand, think about talking to a mental health professional. Therapy and medication are available if you and your doctor feel that is what you need.
- Regular checkups with your primary care health provider.
Good caregiving means taking care of yourself as well. This includes high-quality and affordable medical care to protect your health while you look after your loved one.
- Get in touch with Schnitzer-Slate, your one-stop agency for health insurance in Wilmington NC
If you need health insurance in Wilmington NC, Schnitzer-Slate Insurance can help. We are an authorized agency for Blue Cross Blue Shield North Carolina. We’ll assist you in finding affordable health insurance for you and those you care for. Give us a call at 910 338 0686 or visit us at http://www.healthplannc.com
Set Priorities
When you're a caregiver, it can seem like everything needs to get done at once. But doing what's important and letting some things go for a while may help your day go smoother. Dividing up big jobs into several small ones and staying focused on what can get done will help keep you feeling positive. This may include saying no to some activities that decrease personal time or quality time with your loved ones.
Deal with Stress
Caregiving can be stressful. Researchers from Cornell University, in a 2014 article in the Journal of the American Medical Association, add that spending long hours caregiving, living with the person you're caring for, and caring for someone with dementia can raise stress to markedly high levels. Getting help from family and friends when possible or joining a support group can help lighten the load. Taking a respite while a trusted friend or family member looks after your loved one can also help.
Don’t Forget Your Own Health
The inevitable stress associated with being caregiver can lead to health problems in some people. Experts recommend:
- Proper nutrition.
A healthy diet is low in fat and includes lots of fruit and vegetables. Consider talking to a nutritionist if you need help with planning meals or with weight control.
- Exercise.
Physical activity helps reduce stress and can improve your health and stamina. Talk to your doctor about the types and amount of exercise that's right for you.
- Stress management.
If you feel stress, anxiety, or feelings of depression are getting the upper hand, think about talking to a mental health professional. Therapy and medication are available if you and your doctor feel that is what you need.
- Regular checkups with your primary care health provider.
Good caregiving means taking care of yourself as well. This includes high-quality and affordable medical care to protect your health while you look after your loved one.
- Get in touch with Schnitzer-Slate, your one-stop agency for health insurance in Wilmington NC
If you need health insurance in Wilmington NC, Schnitzer-Slate Insurance can help. We are an authorized agency for Blue Cross Blue Shield North Carolina. We’ll assist you in finding affordable health insurance for you and those you care for. Give us a call at 910 338 0686 or visit us at http://www.healthplannc.com