5 Ways to Reduce Caregiver Stress During the Holidays
At the heart of every family are holiday traditions, gatherings and familiar joys of the season. Caregiver stress is common and so is feeling overwhelmed during this time of year with limited time to clean, shop, cook and/or take a break.
With a little extra planning, flexibility and communication with family members, the holidays can be enjoyed without unnecessary worry and pressure.
Here are some helpful tips for reducing caregiver stress during the holidays:
- Make a Wish List: Honor your own needs and express to your circle of family and friends what they can do for you. In the holiday spirit of giving, a helping hand may be readily available to you for something as simple as fixing a leaky faucet to respite care for a movie night or a few hours for errands.
- Plan Ahead: Make a list of things you need to get done with due dates and allow others to help lighten the load. Communicating with family on who’s doing what for a holiday gathering can ease the pressure, knowing it’s a group effort.
- Be Flexible: Sometimes family traditions need to change to make it easier on your loved one’s care schedule and comfort zone. If the gathering needs to begin much earlier in the day or on a different day other than the real holiday to accommodate you, don’t feel guilty.
- Get Creative: When budgets are tight and the thought of gift-giving causes anxiety, consider simple, priceless gifts from the heart. An easy place to start: shop your photo albums for extra copies of a special memory to give to family members. Try a “white elephant” gift exchange to create a fun and memorable family experience that doesn’t require shopping.
- Reflect and Enjoy: Sit back and take time to reflect on and appreciate the blessings in your life. Share stories with friends and loved ones about your favorite holiday memories and/or get inspired by playing the music that you associate with the holiday season and your traditions.
THANK YOU FOR THINKING OF US THIS WAY
READ YOUR COMMENTS AND THEY MAKE A LOT OFF SENSE.
NO ONE WOULD EVER UNDERSTAND UNLESS THEY HAVE WALKED IN MY SHOES. HUSBAND VERY SICK FOR VERY LONG TIME. HARD TO HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING BY YOURSELF. HIS NEEDS ARE IN MY HANDS.
THANK YOU AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND MERRY CHRISTMAS
MAY GOD BLESS US ALL !!!!!!!
KATE
Hello Kate,
Thank you for your thoughtful comments. We are happy to be a resource to you as you care for your husband. We wish you and your family a happy, blessed holiday season and new year! -Gina, Shield HealthCare
Thankyou ,it is allways nice to have some suggestions on things to do .My son is allways my first concern.it is nice to have a person to understand how it is to be a care provider. Not very many people understand the importance of the care I provide .thank you so much for the information you provide.
Hello Vicki, You’re welcome! Thank you for your thoughtful comments. We are happy to be a resource to you as you care for your son.
-Gina, Shield HealthCare
I want to thank you for the helpful tips on reducing stress, my 91 year old grandmother requires 24 hour care. Gina i would like to thank you for hearing and helping me resolve my problem regarding entering the care-giver contest.