Taking care of a loved one recovering from a health issue might sometimes be exhausting. And there's no shame accepting that. After all, you've been at it every day, running errands through the day and being by their side by night. Working round the clock, relentlessly. It might seem tireless at first, but if not taken adequate care of, you might slowly drift to what is medically known as 'caregiver burnout.'
What is it, anyway, caregiver burnout? As is suggestive, the condition is a bundle of symptoms that occur because you've neglected your health while caring for your loved one. From fatigue and insomnia to overreacting and depression- caregiver burnout has a vast range. Exhaustion and a disability to cope with the situation are the first of the many red flags of the condition’s onset.
How does one prevent it, then? How does a person avoid caregiver burnout and take care of their loved one at the same time? Well, here are some tips.
1 - Take a Break
Caring for your family doesn’t mean being available at the scene every minute of the day. Sometimes you care for them by taking care of yourself, staying distant but present. If you have relatives and friends around you, ask them to fill in for a few hours every day. Take these hours to rest and rejuvenate, go for a walk, take a proper meal, etc.
In case no one you know is present for help, take the aid and assistance of a formal healthcare company. Appoint a nurse who can look after your dear one while you work or take timely offs.
2 - Improve Communication
Caring for a sick person and having to update others in the family about their situation is super exhausting. What can you do? Create a shared group where you can disseminate information to everyone at once without having to go through the trouble of making personal calls and texts.
Further, know where to draw the line for yourself. Don't let your emotions work the situation and take practical, rational decisions instead. Does your person's condition need you to pull an all-nighter? If not, have some sleep. Don't be tempted by your emotional self. The best way to get caregiver and eldercare guidance is to read up on help books such as the one authored by Chris Cooper.
3 - Join a Self-help Group
You are not alone in the struggle. Several people like you are going through the same situation, feeling the same way you do. Whenever you stumble upon a low point, give your relatives or friends a call. Talk to them and vent out your emotions.
Unable to express yourself? Don't worry. Join a self-help group. You don't necessarily have to speak up at an SHG. Listen to what others have to say. Hear out their stories, the struggles they are facing, and the measures they are taking to cope with stress. Share your story at any point you feel comfortable. Suggest a collective reading session of books by Chris Cooper and similar authors.
Apart from these pointers, there are several other ways to save yourself from caregiver burnout. Avoiding negative energies and nurturing positive ones, distributing the responsibilities and tasks at hand, indulging in physical activities, meditation, and eating healthy are a few other ways to stay on top of caregiving.