Care giving is rewarding.

Caring for others who can’t necessarily do the basic things for themselves, but what good is it for a caregiver who is not sound.

Care givers need caring to be able to do their jobs well.

As the population of seniors increase, we find out that most caregivers are ordinary people not in the medical sector but with a passion for caring for people.

This means most of them do not have the basic knowledge to identify when they are overworked, stressed or how to handle it.

Below are signs of a stressed care giver and tips on how to care for yourself as a caregiver.

Signs of an Overworked Care giver

As a care giver, the obvious sign of being overworked is stress.

This stress can translate into other minor troubles that can be detrimental to your overall wellbeing.

Some signs to watch out for are:

   • Being constantly worried, overwhelmed or forgetful

   • Not getting enough sleep or sleeping too much

   • Feeling tired even after resting

   • Losing weight or gaining weight

   • Emotional or binge eating

   • No personal life or friends

Tips to stay healthy as a Care giver

Do your best and leave the rest

This might sound harsh for a care giver, but what good is it if you can’t carry out your duties because you are stressed out.

Hence, if you can’t perform a task, inform you superiors to have it assigned to someone else or give you time to rest.

If you are a private care giver, inform your employers that you need a break and rest while at it.

Set realistic goals

Caring for others is a passion that burns deep; most people outside the circle of care giving don’t understand the stress of the job.

When taking up a job as a care giver set your goals and let your employers known what you can and can’t do.

Accept help

It is your job, we get it, but your health status will determine how healthy your patient will be.

So when a helping hand is stretched towards you, accept it, and take time to recollect your life in the process.

Have a day off

This may not be entirely possible, but discuss this with your employer before accepting the job.

Furthermore, when your patient is resting or asleep, you should also try to get some sleep too.

Build a team

No one can do it alone, as a caregiver build your own team of caregivers or join one in your neighborhood.

This will allow you to get a helping hand when you are indisposed.

Furthermore, a support system will help you when you are emotionally down or have concerns about your current job or duties as a care giver.

Establish a healthy routine

Eat, sleep, and exercise or meditate.

These four factors are a must in your daily life.

No matter how tight your schedule takes out time for a 10 minute walk to refocus your brain and take you away from the environment of work.

Conclusion

Overall, care givers feel guilty taking time off to care for themselves, but self-care is not a personal indulgence but essential in staying healthy to be able to perform your job properly.

So to enjoy the services of a caregiver, you must be a care giver for you first.

I would love to come to your next event, seminar or workshop to speak more on my signature topics! Contact me here for more inquiries and details.

About Dr. Geneva

Dr. Geneva J. Williams is a Master Leadership Strategist & Vibrant Life Architect.  She is also the author of Justice on the Jersey Shore and reigning Ms. Black Fit and Fine