You’re tired. As a family caregiver, it’s not unusual to work so hard helping your parents that you become too exhausted for your own needs. It’s also a habit that you need to stop. It’s time to recharge, and these are the best ways to relax, unwind, and reset yourself.
Spend a Day Each Week Doing Something Fun
Instead of spending all day Friday on the same chores you’ve been helping with, plan fun activities. Once the essentials like meals and medication reminders are done, go to a museum, drive to the beach for a day in the sun, or head to a state park for a picnic and walk along the nature trails.
If the weather isn’t cooperating, have a fun day at home with your parents. Watch movies, play games, or try something new. You could all try to paint a picture while following a how-to video or make a bird feeder out of a clay pot.
Ask for Help
Instead of doing everything on your own, talk to your other family members. Your brothers and sisters should chip in. If you have other close family members and friends who mean a lot to your parents, they can also help out.
Instead of spending several hours a day at work and having to stop at your parents and make a meal and clean up, your cousin could make meals for the week and store them in the refrigerator and freezer. Your brother could stop by several days each week to clean up. When you stop by, many of the things on your “to-do” list are already complete.
Use the free time on activities like Tai Chi, Yoga, and gardening. They all help reduce stress and also stretch your muscles.
Learn About Respite Care
Make sure you get support, too. Your parents may need help, but it cannot be at the cost of your mental, physical, and emotional health. Learn more about respite care.
Respite care is a home care service where you get a break for a day now and then or regularly. Instead of devoting all of your free time to assisting your parents, you take time away and let professional caregivers help them.
Use respite care to take a day off, recover from an illness, or go on a vacation. Respite care is also available if your parents only need home care services for a short time while healing from a medical issue. They’ll have quality care services, but you have the chance to practice self-care. Call a home care agency to schedule visits from professional caregivers.
