Are You More Stressed than You Realize?
Stress can do a real number on you and on your ability to even notice it until it’s gotten pretty big. Here are some signs you need to watch out for as a caregiver.
You Are So Tired
Home Care Philadelphia, PA: Caregiver Stress
Even when you do get some sleep are you still exhausted? That can be a hallmark of stress wearing you down. You can think that you’re getting decent sleep, but if you’re tossing and turning a lot or you’re waking up often in the middle of the night, your sleep isn’t as restful as you might have hoped it was. You might want to consider tracking your sleep and how you feel so you can make some adjustments. This information can also be helpful if you decide to take it to your doctor.
Your Concentration Is Shot
There is so much to monitor and to keep track of as a caregiver. You’re probably thinking about three different things even when you’re trying to relax and unwind. That takes a toll on your brain’s ability to process information and to concentrate. So when you have to ask someone for the third time what they just said, stress could be the culprit.
You Are So Angry
With too little sleep and iffy concentration, it would be no surprise to hear that you’re feeling a little touchier than usual. You might find that situations which would normally not bother you at all now send you straight to angry. But there is a valid reason for that. Your emotions are stretched thin, as are your brain and your body. When everything is tapped out, frustration is going to rear its head more often.
You’re Experiencing Denial
Denial is a tricky situation. On the one hand, you could be denying something because you really don’t see that it’s true. On the other, you could be so committed to one particular belief because you don’t want the opposite to be true. This can definitely be the case with your senior’s health. Sometimes health issues your senior faces can be so scary that it’s easier to just live in denial. But the easy road isn’t necessarily the right one.
You Don’t Feel So Good
Another situation you could be in denial about could be your own health issues. It’s really easy to ignore what your body is telling you when you’re feeling a great deal of stress yourself. Start to touch base with your own body and your own health on a daily basis. Really check in and pay attention to whatever doesn’t feel right so that you can address it with your own doctor.
It helps to be as proactive as you can be about managing your stress levels. Take time away from caregiving more often. This is a lot easier to do if you’ve hired home care providers that you feel comfortable leaving in charge while you’re gone. Rest, recharge, and come back to caregiving ready to go.
Excerpt: One of the insidious things about stress is that by the time you realize how stressed you are, you’re pretty far up the scale already.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care in Philadelphia, PA, please contact the caring staff at True Direct Home Health Care today.
Doc, as he is called by everyone - staff, patients and clients - first experienced home health care and hospice care while as a colleg student at King's College as he cared for his mother every day while she first battled COPD and then lung cancer. It was during this time that he came to understand that caring for a patient was more than just clinical expertise.
"Admittedly, my strongest attribute is my communication skills and the simple fact that I love to help people. Even the smallest thing you can do for someone really can mean so much to them long term. In fact, it could change them forever. That's what providing quality personal home health care should be all about."
In his spare time, he cooks for homeless shelters and children's music and arts events. He also is highly involved in his local youth sports soccer academy as a coach and Board member.
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