Have you been suffering from caregiver burnout recently You are certainly not alone Almost every caregiver experiences exhaustion at some point After all caregiving is a tough job that can test you emotionally mentally and physically If you dont look out for your own well-being over time the stress of being a caregiver can really take a toll on you To avoid burnout from happening to you in the first place follow these 5 tips Take Care of Yourself The first rule to avoiding caregiver burnout is to practice self-care both on the job and during your down time How do you expect to take care of others if you dont take proper care of yourself Make it a priority to adopt healthier eating exercise and sleeping habits A fit healthy and well-rested body is better able to handle the stress that comes with being a caregiver Try to schedule me time into your daily routine as well Outside of work find activities that make you feel happy or relaxed whether something like yoga a hobby such as woodworking or a new sport or fun outdoor activity Join a Support Group The very nature of being a caregiver can lead to feelings of anger stress frustration hopelessness and sadness Keeping these feeling bottled up does no good for your well-being If you are beginning to feel emotionally overwhelmed with your job the best thing to do is talk to someone Youd be surprised how many people out there feel the same way you do Caregiver support programs are available through hospitals churches and mental health agencies Sharing your experiences with other caregivers will make you feel much less alone and help you pick up coping strategies for those negative emotions Sometimes all you need is someone in your corner who understands what youre going through Talk to Your Management Caregiver burnout is often caused directly by a poor working environment Most of the time these are issues that can be fixed by management If you believe that both your work and health is suffering from a poor working environment dont be afraid to express your concerns to your manager You might try suggesting specific strategies that would improve your work-caregiving balance For example a flexible schedule or a certain day off during the week Often your supervisor will take your suggestions on board For example perhaps all you need is a quiet space at work where you can recharge during breaks If you havent got a space like this already ask your manager if its possible to create a dedicated break room where you and your colleagues can relax Or if you work in home care perhaps you might use your car as a place of refuse Your car can be a calming place to listen to light music or where you can place a special car scent to help you unwind between client visits Find a Creative Outlet Self-expression can be incredibly rejuvenating and healing Everyone has their own preferred creative outlet whether it be gardening landscaping playing music sewing journaling or scrapbooking For caregivers or anybody with an emotionally draining job having a creative outlet to turn to can be great for the mind and soul It provides a great distraction from the daily stresses of work and can help you feel calmer and much more centered productive and confident Re-prioritize Your Schedule Overworking is a leading cause of caregiver burnout This is because caregivers become so accustomed to putting other peoples needs above their own that it becomes challenging to say no They may end up doing more than their fair share of work because they just dont want to let anybody down Over time the stress and physical exhaustion of being a caregiver can become too much To avoid this from happening look at the amount of work you are doing and ask yourself if you need to cut back Have you been doing extra shifts because your co-worker couldnt make it Have you been neglecting other areas of your life because of your job Remember putting yourself first doesnt make you a bad caregiver You will be a more effective caregiver if you are in a happier and healthier state of mind Register