…the local coffee shop or even shopping— and commit to doing one every day. You need to take a break from the anxiety and reward yourself for the superb care you give your loved one. Above all, don’t feel guilty about wanting to feel good.
Breathe!
Whenever we’re anxious, our breathing becomes shallow and our lungs never quite fully inflate. So there isn’t enough force to carry oxygen around to all of the cells in our body that are hungry for regeneration. This deprives the brain of the antistress hormones it needs to function calmly and clearly. Just 10 minutes of slow, deep meditative breathing will help slow your heart rate, calm your emotional state and make it easier to think clearly. Whenever you feel overwhelmed by caregiving responsibilities, take time out to sit calmly and do this.
Watch out for symptoms of depression.
Caring for a sick or aging loved one can be draining— and that’s completely normal. Unfortunately, it can also pave the way for depression; those caring for someone with dementia are thought to be especially vulnerable. In fact, the Family Caregiver Alliance surveyed California caregivers of adults with chronic health problems and found that 45 percent of them had symptoms of depression. Even more reason to take steps to protect your health. Signs of a potential problem: Are you unable to sleep (or are you sleeping too much)? Do you have no appetite (or are you eating all the time)? Do you feel pessimistic about the future? Do you no longer enjoy activities you once did, like going to the movies or socializing with friends? If any of these symptoms have persisted for more than two weeks, it’s time to at least consult a doctor or therapist.