Help for Caregivers Struggling to Cope with Their Labor of Love
Caregiver Websites can offer Guidance and Reassurance.
There’s no doubt that caring for a senior loved one (or an ill loved one of any age) can be stressful. In addition to the regular time and energy demands of one’s own life, there’s the additional stress of caring for another. That stress includes physically performing activities for the one in care and dealing with the personality and emotions of that person as well. Caregivers perform a labor of love, but it’s still physical and mental labor. So, what are some ways that help caregivers cope?
There are a great number of websites that are dedicated to providing advice and support for caregivers. For example, the website caregivingclub.com offers the following advice for finding moments of happiness when feeling the burden of caregiver stress.
10 tips for pursuing happiness:
1. Go with the flow
sometimes it’s hard to let hurt feelings, anger, or anxiety go, but letting loose of these feelings actually can improve your mental and physical health. Try lying down for a few minutes, imagine each negative thing in your life as a balloon — one by one let them loose into the atmosphere and watch them float away.
2. Pay it forward
as a caregiver, you’re already giving a great gift — the gift of care to someone you love. If you encounter another caregiver, share your secrets and advice about how to handle stress or other care-related issues — only by learning from each other can we make it better.
3. Thanks for the memories
focus on the positive and think of the silver linings in your caregiving situation. If you had a loving relationship with the person you are caring for, then this is your gift to them. If the relationship was not everything you wanted, now is your time to reconcile or re-define it. Keep visual reminders of whatever happy moments you remember around you, it’s a constant reminder of the good.
4. “Get Happy” a la Judy Garland
research shows that 30 minutes of getting physically active a day can increase the production of a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor which actually has an antidepressant effect. And, science also shows that music can have a therapeutic effect by creating an endorphin rush. So, crank up the tunes and rock out for a few minutes (think Tom Cruise in “Risky Business” or the hit TV show “Glee”). If you’re not feeling like Fred Astaire or Judy Garland, try taking the dog for a refreshing outdoor walk – breathe in deeply and clear your mind.
5. Color code
some studies show that yellow is one of the “happiest” colors evoking feelings of joy, intellect and energy. Whatever your favorite color is; put it on when you’re having a particularly “blue” day – it will lift your spirits.
6. Make your bed
It sounds funny but author Gretchen Rubin of The Happiness Project, found that this repetitive every day task was one of the most impactful changes people could make. It created a sense of accomplishment.
7. Snack Attack
In the afternoons when serotonin (the brain chemical that regulates mood) takes a nosedive, it’s time to grab a healthy snack. Try almonds or apples, both are good for your mind and body.
8. The thrill of chill
researchers at the University of Michigan discovered that blowing cold air up participant’s noses put them in a better frame of mind than did blasts of hot air. Boost your mood by turning down the thermostat, hitting some snow slopes or just drinking an iced cold beverage.
9. Go for the giggle
finding a few moments every day to goof off and have a laugh is a health and wellness trend getting support from celebrity doctors like Sanjay Gupta and Mehmet Oz. Studies are showing that laughter can have a liberating, transformative effect, so go ahead and have a chuckle.
10. Smile!
Charlie Chaplin wrote, “Smile although your heart is breaking…” Sometimes caring for a parent or spouse or other loved one is emotionally tough but try to smile about something they said or did. Remember how good you feel when someone smiles at you? You inevitably smile back and for a few seconds all seems right with the world. It’s hard to be mad or sad when you have a smile on your face. And, smiling at others will return the favor ten-fold. Smiling is truly infectious.
In addition to caregiverclub.com, there are a number of other websites that offer tips, articles, and a sense of community online for caregivers, including thecaregiversvoice.com, caregiver.com, caregiveraction.org, as well as aarp.org.
At some point, caregiving may become too much to handle and it might come time to seek the assistance of a senior living facility or in-home care. If you’re presently seeking a senior apartment, independent-living, assisted-living, or other continuing-care community for yourself or a senior loved one, be sure to visit alternativesforseniors.com to assist you with your search.
Alternatives for Seniors is a print and online directory that specifically caters to the housing and personal care concerns of senior citizens and their families since 1992. You can call our Senior Specialists at (888) WE-ASSIST (888-932-7747) or visit the Alternatives for Seniors website to begin searching for the perfect home for you or your loved ones. Also, be sure to join our Facebook community and follow us on Twitter.