Care for yourself while caring for others

Caregiving can be both rewarding and stressful. On the one hand it can be joyful and fulfilling, and strengthen bonds between carer and care recipient. On the other hand, it can be a hard job with too much to do and not enough help.

If you are one of the 43 million Americans providing unpaid care, take care of yourself; here are some tips for self-care (also useful for non-caregivers confronting stress). From the December 2015 newsletter of the National Institutes of Health:

Get organized. Make to-do lists, and set a daily routine.
Ask for help. Make a list of ways others can help. For instance, someone might pick up groceries or sit with the person while you do errands.
Take breaks each day, and spend time with your friends.
Keep up with your hobbies and interests.
Join a caregiver’s support group. Meeting other caregivers may give you a chance to exchange stories and ideas.
Eat healthy foods, and exercise as often as you can.
See your doctor regularly. Be sure to tell your health care provider that you’re a caregiver, and mention if you have symptoms of depression or sickness.
Build your skills. Some hospitals offer classes on how to care for someone with an injury or illness. To find these classes, ask your doctor or contact your local Area Agency on Aging at www.n4a.org.