As your parents get older, they will start to rely on you for help if they cannot manage alone. As their child, you might be more than willing to give them the support they need. However, you do need to take care of yourself when you’re caring for them. If you don’t, you could fall prey to stress due to the demands that your parents place on you.
Signs of stress can include:
- Feeling overwhelmed or anxious
- Irritability
- Sleeplessness
- Headaches or other bodily pains
- Feelings of exhaustion
Too much stress can cause you mental harm so for your benefit, and the benefit of your parents, you should do what you can to relieve stress before it gets the better of you.
Here are some of the things you should do.
#1: Ask for help
You shouldn’t have to care for your elderly parents alone. Speak to other family members and ask them to take on certain caregiving duties or perhaps speak to friends and neighbors of your parents to see if they can lend a hand.
It’s also a good idea to seek the support of a specialist support service, such as a Senior Home Care organization that can give your parents the care they need. If your parents are resistant to this, explain the benefits to them and to yourself so they better understand the importance of such care.
#2: Join a support group
Chances are, you won’t be the only person caring for aging parents within your community. There will likely be other people struggling with the demands of caregiving, which is why support groups may have been set up to benefit people like yourself.
Make time to join a support group and share your worries and anxieties with the people you meet there. They may be able to give you advice as well as mental relief after you have offloaded your concerns to them. It will also be good for you to know that you aren’t alone! You might even make a new friend who will support you outside of the group setting.
#3: Care for your physical health
When you care for your physical health, you do much to protect your mental health too, as such things as exercise and healthy eating can increase your energy and prevent burnout and depression.
So, find ways to be physically active on a daily basis and take time out to prepare nutritious meals. You will become stronger, physically and mentally, when you care for your health in such ways, and you will be better able to care for your elderly loved ones.
#4: Stay connected to your friends
Set time out each week to connect with your friends as you need to socialize with more people than just your aging parents. Your friends may be able to give you emotional support and the listening ear that you need. They might also distract you from your worries and burdens by giving you time to relax and have fun while in their company.
These are just some of the things you can do to relieve your stress. For further advice, speak to your doctor and get in touch with any organization that supports caregivers in your community.
