Stess and the Caregiver

It seems that stress is all around us. I was at a luncheon yesterday and the speaker talked about stress and how to handle it. I think that it can help to know that everyone has stress in their lives. You are not unique or alone if you feel very stressed out. The difference for most people is the way they deal with stress. Some people can't handle it and they "take to the bed". They pull their sheets up and ignore everything. That is not really going to work....unless it helps you come to terms with what is going on in your life and you feel better and ready to take on the world. We learned yesterday that it is so important to have an outlet and not internalize the stress. That is when you have real medical problems from the stress. Remember to eat right and get physical exercise.
If you are caring for a loved one in a hospital setting and you are going to be there for several hours, bring some tennis shoes with you. Take 10 minutes and go walk the halls briskly. Do this every hour and that will help relieve some tension.
If you feel trapped in your house caring for another, call a friend for some respite help. If your loved one is in a wheelchair and is up for it, both of you go for a walk and get some fresh air. Care giving, whether for a child or a parent, can be tremendously stressful. You need to find a way to deal with it effectively because your loved one can sense it from you.
There are lots of great tips at www.stress.org
Have a nice Labor Day weekend!