It’s easy to overlook what respite time can do for you as a caregiver. But when signs start piling up that you really need to take time away, you need to start paying attention. If you don’t, you might not be a caregiver for as long as you originally planned.
Your Sleep Is Off
Sleeping well might be a problem for you as a caregiver no matter what, but that can intensify if you’ve needed time away and haven’t taken it. You might find that you are able to fall asleep out of sheer exhaustion, but then you wake up in the middle of the night and you’re not able to get back to sleep. Other times you might find that you’re not able to get to sleep at all. Regardless, this affects every aspect of your life.
Your Body Hurts
Stress affects more than just your brain. It very much affects your body in a variety of ways. And if you’re already not sleeping well, your body doesn’t get a chance to repair itself overnight. Stress builds up in your muscles, which can cause you to feel pain in those areas as well as the joints around those muscles. When your body hurts, other things are that much more difficult, too.
Your Moods Are Off
Stress and physical problems affect your emotional health as much as they affect the rest of you. You might not understand why you’re sometimes feeling as if your moods seem to be all over the map, but stress definitely plays a big part. It’s much more difficult to maintain an even temper when you’re feeling a great deal of stress, too. Taking time away can help all of that.
Other People Are Irritating You
The biggest people person in the world can sometimes find themselves wishing everyone else would just disappear for a little while. That’s part of what can happen when you aren’t getting the time away that you need and want. You may feel as if even the people that you love and care about the most are people you just don’t want to be around. That can be dangerous.
If you’re noticing any of these signs, it’s important that you start thinking seriously about taking better care of yourself as a caregiver. Taking regular respite time feels as if it’s something that you don’t have time to do, but you really don’t have time not to take respite.
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE IS CONSIDERING CAREGIVERS IN WAKE FOREST, NC, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT SENIORS HELPING SENIORS TODAY. CALL (919) 761-5346.