Recharging through self-care activities can help you be the best caregiver you can possibly be for your loved one. Try one or more of these strategies:
Take a power nap. Did you know that a power nap as short as 15 minutes can have a significant impact on boosting your energy and mental wellbeing? Even if you don’t fall asleep, closing your eyes and intentionally relaxing your body can help sustain you throughout the day.
Make moving a priority. Whether you take a walk outside or take a few trips up and down the stairs, any movement is valuable for caregivers. Moving your body helps relieve stress while increasing energy.
Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness, or being present in the moment, can help prevent your emotions from getting the best of you. Click here to learn more about mindfulness and listen to a guided mindfulness exercise.
Unplug. You are always “on” as a caregiver. Try to find 5-10 minutes each day to turn off devices (cell phone, tv, radio) and spend time with yourself.
Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated can drastically increase your energy level and ability to handle caregiver stress. Try to set a goal for drinking water throughout the day. You can start with something as simple as drinking one or two water bottles before lunchtime and then repeating this before bedtime. Every time you finish a water bottle, you are recharging your caregiving battery.
Adapted from a Web MD article. To access the full article, visit https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/how-to-recharge-as-a-caregiver.