10 Ways to Manage Alzheimer’s Caregiver Stress
January 23, 2008 by Mary Emma Allen
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
Caregiving can be a stressful job, whether you’re a professional or caring for a family member in their or your home. You need to develop techniques for relaxing and managing your stress so you don’t burn out. Perhaps you’ve found what works for you. Or you may be looking for some ideas.
Here are 10 suggestions:
- Read your favorite type of books…I love mysteries.
- Relax in the bath tub or hot tub.
- Take walks and enjoy the world around you.
- Practice yoga or some form or meditation.
- Cook…some find breadmaking relaxing.
- Find a favorite handcraft…possibly quilting, fabric art, painting, knitting, crocheting, rug braiding…something you can become passionate about so that it takes your mind off your problems.
- Scrapbooking and researching family history. Look for those ancestors your family member may mention when they’re living in their past. Thus you’re preserving a family legacy.
- Watch a DVD movie or TV series. Our family recently has been laughing along with Monk.
- Play music that you enjoy. This might be slow music or something rolicking that you dance by.
- Go out to lunch with a friend or family member. Make it a relaxing time.
How do you relax and relieve your stress? Share with us!
(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen
What a fantastic list! I recently started doing yoga again. It’s so helpful when I’m stressed. I can just feel the stress leave my body.
Thanks for visiting Alzheimer’s Notes, Tabitha, and for sharing how yoga is helping you manage stress. I’m pleased you found my list helpful.
A discovery is said to be an accident meeting a prepared mind.