If you’re a caregiver without any help, then you know that it can be one of the most tiring jobs on the planet. There’s seldom a feeling of relief or any downtime. Even when you are out of the house, you feel as if you are on call to rush back home and deal with any problem or emergency.
This burden can sometimes encourage negative emotions toward the people for whom we are caring. Should we feel bad about this? Not necessarily. These are often very natural human reactions to the emotional turmoil that we see and experience in our life.
Depression Can Be a Problem
Depression is probably one of the most common issues that arise when you are a sole caregiver. It carries negative feelings of hopelessness. This can lead to problems sleeping and lack of motivation to face the day. Consider looking for a support group and find time for physical exercise, which releases endorphins that help fight depression.
Help! The Insecurity of Being Alone
Another big emotional issue is fear. You might be feeling insecure that you won’t be able to handle a problem or cope with a setback. Situations and schedules might hinder you from leaving the house for a short time fearing something might happen while you’re gone. This problem can be handled if you’ve secured a back-up plan such as assistance from a trained professional who can reassure you that you are doing well and, thankfully, can take over for you when you need a break.
And What About Guilt?
Many negative emotions can possibly lead to guilt. If you are embarrassed by something your loved one does or even unable to perform some of the personal care activities that you must perform, then you may feel guilty for not being strong enough. Caregivers occasionally even feel like they’re somehow disappointing their loved one by feeling these strong emotions.
Ultimately it’s best to realize that everyone goes through a roller coaster of difficult emotions. It is only by working through them, either with assistance or through personal reflection, that you can truly overcome them.
Now that the new year has arrived, it’s important to do something that can give you some relief…assistance so you don’t burn out. One such option is with Gold Leaf Home Health Caregivers. We can help alleviate some of the stress and emotional conflict by providing assistance with your loved one. Check out our website for more information on managing the stress and contact us for more information about how we can help you.