Have you ever been on an airplane? Before the plane takes off you are given a set of instructions, one of which includes, “in the event of an emergency please place your oxygen mask over your nose and mouth before helping others do so.”
As a caregiver, you may be so focused on your loved one you don’t realize that your own health and well-being are suffering. but, just as the example of the plane emergency illustrates, you cannot help others if you haven’t taken care of yourself first!
A caregiver is anyone who provides help to another person in need, such as an ill spouse, disabled child, or even an aging relative.
As a caregiver, you’re clinically more likely to experience symptoms of depression or anxiety. In addition, you may not get enough sleep or physical activity, or eat a balanced diet — which increases your own risk of medical problems, such as heart disease and diabetes.
For tips to help manage your stress as a caregiver, read the entire article by Apex Benefits.