For many, being present for their loved ones is a core value. Caregiving is a strenuous long-term process of assisting a loved one, hoping to ease their pain and make them comfortable. While caring for a loved one is invaluable, research has shown that caregiving has all the features of a chronic stress experience. It creates physical and psychological strain over time, primarily because it is usually a long-term experience with unpredictable developments.
What kind of stress does caregiving cause?
Caregiving is exceedingly demanding and causes physical and mental strain. Over prolonged periods, it may also take a toll on the caregiver’s health. Here are some indicators of the effects one might experience from caregiving:
- Feeling irritated and exhausted
- Feeling guilty for spending time on leisure activities
- Unable to sleep
- Neglect your own needs and requirements
- Unable to relax and be in the moment
- Feeling helpless and dispirited
- Frequent headaches, body pain and other physical ailments
- Gaining or losing weight
How to cope with caregiver stress
While the role of a caregiver will never be stress-free, there are several steps you can take to cope with the stress. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
Educate yourself about the disease
The lack of knowledge to deal with a patient suffering from a chronic disease or disability causes stress. When you learn about the condition or disability, it will become easier to support your loved one. There are several support groups and online resources you can explore to empower yourself.
Exercise regularly
Caregiving can be physically very exhausting. You need to build strength and stamina to cope with it through regular physical exercise. It also helps you stay healthy to ensure you can continue to serve your loved ones.
Take time for yourself
Caregiving may seem like a full-time job, but you must be able to take some time off for yourself. It is easy to feel guilty for doing so, but it is necessary to avoid burnout. Small leisure activities help you relax and rejuvenate yourself.
Accept the situation
Accepting a situation will help bring clarity of thought and help you think about the next steps. Avoid asking questions like, ‘Why did this happen to us?’, as it will only bog you down. Acknowledge that despite the burden and complete change in your lifestyle, caregiving is unavoidable – this can help you cope with the situation.
Manage the situation
When questions like ‘why me’ arise, the first step is to acknowledge it and not negate the feeling. To work through such emotions would be to approach a qualified psychologist and have a conversation around it. For many of our members, psychologists have included family members to facilitate structured conversations to help them deal with the challenges of PD and its caregiving.
Celebrate the little victories
Caregiving is a long journey, but celebrating the small victories along the way can help you stay motivated. Pat yourself on the back for every situation you handled well, be it with the patient or otherwise.
Seek support
Asking for help does not make you weak but prepares you for the future. Ask for help from your family, friends or even a support group to cope with the stress. It is essential to accept support. Caregiving requires will and external support that can help ease the process.
