Don’t Navigate the Holidays Alone: Hire A Home Caregiver

The holidays are a magical time, filled with food, fun and lots of family. But this whirlwind of gift-giving, shopping, parties, and activities that often begins just after Halloween and gains momentum until after the first of the year, is often filled with stress. The season meant to bring love and cheer may also bring stress and anxiety.

 

Don’t Face the Holidays Alone

As a caregiver to someone you love, the holidays may bring additional stress. You’re suddenly faced with even more tasks that you had before. If you aren’t careful, you could be facing the first of the year with a stress-related disorder of your own. The best way to reduce your feelings of being overwhelmed is by doing all things in moderation. This includes caring for your loved one.

The extent of your love is not measured by how much time you spend doing tasks for the people you love. It’s important to take care of yourself so that you can take care of them, especially during the holiday season. Have you ever flown on an airplane? The first thing the air hostesses will tell you in case of an emergency is to place the mask on your face first and then on those who are traveling with you. You cannot take care of your loved one unless you take care of yourself. One of the best ways to take care of yourself, especially during the holiday season, is to ensure you have time to rest and relax between all the tasks that have to be done.

 

Don’t Forget Your Alone Time

Although the holidays are a wonderful time for extended families to gather and bond, even some of the most close-knit people can overdose on togetherness. You need to find a balance between being with someone you love and care for deeply and having some alone time when you can recharge your batteries. You’ll need some time to yourself to be able to fully enjoy your time with family. One strategy is to get help as you care for your loved one. This not only helps you but also gives your family member someone else with whom they can bond and form relationships, expanding their experiences.

 

Five More Ways to Reduce Your Stress

A relaxed and healthy caregiver can provide better quality care than someone who is frazzled and short-tempered. Consider these five recommendations to help you and those you care for.

  1. Diet and nutrition – You may be a stress eater, especially when you’re exhausted. Unfortunately, those quick handy snack foods often leave you feeling full and strangely unsatisfied. Grab a high-quality snack instead to tide you over and make whole food for your meals to improve your overall health and reduce your stress.
  2. Exercise – this might be the original feel-good prescription. When you get regular exercise, you’ll sleep better, reduce your stress levels, be more alert and have more energy.
  3. Rest – While easier said than done during the holiday season, it is imperative you seek six to eight hours of quality sleep each night to maintain your health and reduce the potential you’ll get sick.
  4. Hydration – this often-overlooked strategy significantly impacts your ability to think clearly and therefore cope with stressful situations. If you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated.
  5. Stress Reduction – Although each of these strategies helps your physical health and improves your ability to function under stress, you’ll also want to find a technique that helps you to manage stress. You may find exercise does the trick for you or you might want to try yoga or Emotional Freedom Techniques, all of which activate your brain and help reduce your stress levels.

 

Set-Up Help Today for the Holiday Season

It may feel as if the holiday season is months away, but in reality, it’s just around the corner. Call Anodyne today and we’ll help you find the right caregiver to help you and your family during the holiday season. Your loved one will receive excellent care, you’ll get rest and you’ll both enjoy the benefits that come with new relationships.