Balancing your Lifestyle

Caregiving for another person can be satisfying, but it can also be an exhausting and thankless job. You may sacrifice your leisure time, your vacations and your privacy. Multiple demands from your family, your job and the person for whom you care, leave little time for yourself. Too often caregivers neglect their own health and well being, and put their own needs on the back burner. You may not be able to stop the impact of a disease or disability on the care receiver, but you must be responsible for your own self-care.
Tips:                      

• You must develop a personal support system, just for you.
• You must take care of yourself, or there will be nothing left for anyone else.
• Maintain friendships.
• Create a telephone support network.
• Spend your energy wisely.
• Talk about your feelings with your friends or members of a support group.
• Learn the limits of your endurance and strength and set priorities.
• Ask for help from friends and family when you need it, and be specific.
• Get enough sleep.
• Take care of yourself, emotionally and physically.
• Be mindful that prescription drugs can help and hurt.
• Try to keep a sense of humor. It is your best defense!