How Can You Check Your Stress Levels?
It’s vital for you as a caregiver to have an idea how stressed you are feeling at any given time. To do that, you’re going to need to periodically check in with yourself. That sounds difficult at first, but it doesn’t have to be.
Do a Quick Physical Scan
Your physical body is what carries you around and keeps you going. If you’re ignoring physical needs, those turn into stress triggers, whether you realize that or not. Being tired, thirsty, or hungry all affects whether you’re going to be able to keep going or not. Stop every couple of hours and ask yourself what you need, if anything.
How Are You Feeling?
It’s one thing to examine how you’re feeling physically but it’s another to examine how you’re feeling emotionally. Both have a big impact. What emotions are you dealing with right now? If you’re feeling angry or sad, those feelings affect how well you’re able to cope and what you’re able to keep doing as a caregiver.
What’s Going on Around You?
What’s happening around you affects you more than you know. If you’re surrounded by noise and chaos, you might need to find a quiet place to get a handle on how you’re feeling. Even visual noise, otherwise known as clutter, can have an impact on your stress levels. Analyze what is going on in your environment and see what’s under your control and what isn’t. Improve what you can, even if that means you’re only making small changes as you’re able to.
Add Some Gratitude
Sometimes when you’re stressed it’s difficult to stay in the moment. What brings you joy or makes you happy to be there? Take a few minutes each day and list off one or two things that make you grateful that day and in that moment. This can help you to keep your mindset a little more positive.
Ask Yourself Who Can Help
You need to have time away and you might need help with other tasks. Caregivers sometimes find it difficult to ask for help and to get the help that they really need. Take some time and assess where you need the most help. Then ask yourself who can pitch in and take some of those tasks of your list for you.
As you get more adept at checking your stress levels this can become a much faster routine for you. Take the time to get comfortable with these suggestions and implement the ones that work best for you.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering Caregiver Services in Milledgeville GA please contact the caring staff at Angels of Mercy Private Homecare Services, Inc. today at 478-745-5111.
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