Finding Your Balance
Dear Caregivers,
We don’t see big changes from one season to another here in Florida, so it makes me feel a little more grounded to mark the times in earth’s path around the sun each year when a milestone is reached. One such passage occurred this week, when the earth’s axis was parallel to its orbital path, giving us a day of equal amount of daylight and night and signaling the beginning of Fall. On this so-called “Autumnal Equinox" we reach a balance of sorts—a brief pause between the seasons before we move into fall and winter.
For a caregiver of a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s, life can sometimes feel totally out of balance. There are day-to-day issues to take care of, the occasional crisis to handle, and the relentless progression of the disease to cope with.
Having balance doesn’t mean that all things are of perfectly equal importance but rather, like a gymnast on a balance beam, we learn to compensate and adjust to a wiggle in one direction or another, giving ourselves the resilience to re-center and take the next step.
Here are some tips to help you find your balance:
Be Self Aware: Recognize the signs that you are under stress, feeling low on energy, or feeling unrecognized for your efforts.
Set Boundaries: Feel confident saying “No.” After all, "No" is a complete sentence, with no explanations required. Have firm rules for when you will take on new projects, and when you will have time for yourself.
Focus on Your Physical and Mental Health: These two are connected, so make sure you make time for each on a regular basis. Prioritize sleep and eating a good diet.
Practice Stress Reduction: Mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, or simply a walk in a park can work wonders.
Unplug: Many feeds emanating from your electronic devices are designed specifically to make you feel agitated, angry, and alarmed, in order to keep your attention. Take a break from your phone, radio, and TV from time to time.
Make Time for Friends and Family: Being surrounded by those you love is a balm for body and soul.
Keeping up with the demands of caregiving can be a challenge, but as the equinox reminds us, we need to strive for balance in our lives.
Here are some more tips on finding your balance:
Setting Boundaries as a Caregiver:
As a caregiver, it is essential that you remain committed to your personal boundaries, making sure that you give yourself time and space to address your personal needs for rest, relaxation, and fulfillment. This foundation for positive self-care is vital in improving your well-being. Here’s how to do it.
Caregiver Burnout: How to Cope:
Caregiving for someone suffering from Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most challenging jobs in the world, and it comes with a risk of what is known as “Caregiver Burnout.” With caregiver burnout, you are in a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that may also be coupled with a change in your attitude towards your caregiving role, from one of positive, caring, and rewarding to one of feeling negative, unconcerned, and resentful. Here's what to look for.
Keeping Your Personal Relationships Strong While Caregiving:
The stresses of caregiving can cause significant strains on a marriage or any other relationship. Here’s how to keep stress at bay and keep your personal relationships healthy.
Remember, if you can’t find the information you need on our website, you can always “Ask NAN” by clicking on this link.
Best,
Rosemary D Laird, MD, MHSA
Founder and Chief Medical Officer
“The best and safest thing is to keep a balance in your life, acknowledge the great powers around us and in us.”
— Euripides
