How to manage carer stress: Common symptoms and solutions
For a care worker in UK dealing with pressure is often a daily occurrence which brings up fresh challenges and ways of working. Care Staff are respected nationwide for the hours of service they dedicate, the kindness they show and the positive impact they have on people’s lives - yet despite all that positivity the role often takes place in high pressured environments. The typical day to day responsibilities of a care worker involve providing support and helping household chores. They also offer health-based care to improve the condition of those they work with.
Care workers often face pressure every day, which brings new challenges. They are respected across the country for their dedication and the positive effects they have on people's lives. However, their work often happens in stressful environments. A typical day for a care worker involves offering emotional support and providing health care to improve the well-being of those they assist.
What causes Caregiver stress?
Caregiver stress is common for those people who take care of a sick or disabled person. Sometimes caregivers are so focused on helping the person they care for. They don’t realize that their own health is suffering.
Watching a loved one get sicker can be very tough stage. It is one of the hardest parts of being a caregiver. Caring for someone all day and every day for a long time can be emotional and physical exhaustion. It is called caregiver stress.
How can caregivers manage of stress?
1) Keeping an active lifestyle can help to manage stress. Getting fit can help reduce your stress. While you probably stay active and get plenty of steps during the day, we recommend doing some exercise outside of work as well. Choose an activity you can enjoy. Maybe you’ve wanted to try yoga or you used to love swimming but haven't had time to do it again. Moving your body can help you to clear your mind. It helps to make you feel more focused.
2) Staying organized is great way to manage stress. Keep important information like medication schedules and doctor’s appointments organized and easy to find. Set reminders on your phone or computer to help you remember them. Use a calendar or task list that works best for you.
3) Use respite care services that provide professional caregivers to look after your loved one. This gives you a chance to take a much-needed break and recharge.
4) Like any tough job it's important to remember that you are in control. Being a care assistant can be busy and comes with important responsibilities. If you feel overwhelmed then try keeping a diary. Writing down your daily routine can help you plan breaks. We all know how important it is to take a moment to relax with a cup of tea when you can.
5) Practicing journaling everyday can be helpful to manage stress. Journaling can be done in many ways. For example you could start your day with a 5-minute writing exercise. You can just write whatever comes to mind. This can help you figure out what’s bothering you. Writing things down can also help clear your head. Another idea is to write about how you feel at the end of the day. Reflect on what went well and what you’re grateful for.
6) Breathing can be give you relief sometimes when you found yourself in a moment of stress. You can help reduce stress by taking loner and deeper breaths. This tells your brain to relax. You can do breathing exercise by sitting or lying flat in a comfortable position. Put your hands on your belly which is below your ribs. Put the other hands on your chest. After that take a deep breath in through your nose. Let your belly push your hand out. Breathe out through your lips as if you were whistling. Feel your belly go in and use that to push all the air out. You can do this breathing 3 to 10 times.
What are the reasons for carer stress?
- Money problems, especially if a caregiver has quit their job or cut back on their earnings.
- Self-expectations like feeling too much pressure to be the perfect caregiver.
- Feeling responsible for everything and seeing no way to change the situation.
- Simple exhaustion from working many hours that are physically and emotionally tough.
- Keeping balance in your life by prioritizing friendships and relationships.
- Putting too much pressure on yourself to be the best caregiver.
Give some tips for care staff to better handle the pressure of their working environment?
a) Like any job, the longer you work at a company, the more comfortable and knowledgeable you become. The same goes for handling pressure as a care worker—more experience helps you manage similar situations better.
b) Prioritizing tasks can give you a better sense of control and reduce pressure as a care worker. You can do this mentally during quieter moments or start your day by writing down the important tasks you need to finish.
c) One of the main reasons people choose a career in care in UK is to help those in need. Sometimes the job can be tough especially if you feel unappreciated or if things aren’t going well. Dealing with pressure in a care home can be even harder when you're not feeling motivated.
d) Being a care worker is a constant learning experience, and there are many chances to learn on the job. This is great for personal growth, but most care homes and home care organizations also like to train staff in more structured settings, focusing on specific skills during their training.
What are the signs of caregiver stress?
As a caregiver you might be so focused on taking care of your loved one most of the time. So, you don’t notice how it affects your own health and well-being. Some signs of caregiver stress include:
- Experiencing frequent headaches or other aches and health issues.
- Sleeping too much or not getting enough sleep.
- Feeling weighed down or constantly worried.
- Skipping your own medical appointments.
- Misusing alcohol or drugs, including prescription medications.
- Gaining or losing weight.
At Nurses Group Homecare we know how carers stress can be tough for care workers. Our caring team is focused on providing the best care to keep our clients healthy and happy. Nurses Group Homecare in Yeovil, UK, has experienced and skilled caregivers who are focused on helping you.