Three questions to ask yourself when you are experience Caregiver Stress. When you answer these questions, you can better figure out ways to reduce stress.
It’s important that we as caregiver avoid burnout. This is stage two of caregiver overwhelm. Stage one is Caregiver Stress and if you don’t take care of your stress, burnout can sneak up pretty fast.
Caregiver burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by the prolonged and overwhelming stress of caregiving (plus everything else on your plate).
You might be struggling to maintain a sense of purpose in working so hard to provide care, which leads to feelings of loneliness and being unappreciated, second-guessed, or criticized by other family members, friends and your Loved One.
And you're probably reluctant, unable or unwilling to reach out for help from others. Isolation and extreme energy loss are major signs of caregiver burnout. When you're burned out, it's tough to do anything for you or anyone else.
1. What does your stress look like? When you look at your stress what do you see?
2. What does stress feel like? Your feelings, your thoughts, what is your body and mind telling you.
3. What does stress do to you? Meaning how do you act or react. Or what behaviors do you resort to when stressed?
Obviously there are better actions than others. There are better behaviors than others.
The body’s autonomic nervous system controls your heart rate, breathing, vision changes and more. Its built-in stress response, the “fight-or-flight response,” helps the body face stressful situations.
It’s so important to think about how you respond to stress physically, emotionally, mentally and through our actions.
Caregiver Stress is real and it’s going to happen no matter how much you try to stop it. When you feel stress I want you to think about the word REAL
R = Recognize
E = Embrace
A = Accept
L = Learn
Stress is a normal human reaction that happens to everyone. In fact, the human body is designed to experience stress and react to it. When you experience changes or challenges (stressors), your body produces physical and mental responses. That’s stress.
Stress responses help your body adjust to new situations. Stress can be positive, keeping us alert, motivated and ready to avoid danger. But stress becomes a problem when stressors continue without relief or periods of relaxation.
Take some time to think through and observe your stress. Then Grant yourself grace as you recognize and learn ways to overcome it.
Get a free download, the 3 stages of caregiver stress - this resource walks you through each stage (stress, burnout and fatigue) It defines each stage and then gives you signs and symptoms to watch for.
I hope you enjoyed this episode, I seriously want you to reflect on each question. Grab a journal and really write these out. It has worked for me over and over again.
Here’s to reducing your stress and taking care of yourself friend.
