MID PHASE
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SELF CARE
FIVE VITAL TIPS TO HELP DEAL WITH CAREGIVER STRESS
And Recognizing Unhealthy Stress Levels
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SRGTEXAS.COM
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FALL/WINTER 2021
ccording to the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, around 34.2 million Americans have provided unpaid care to an adult age 50 or older in the last 12 months. Many of these caregivers also care for other family members, such as children, and work outside the home. Without assistance from others and appropriate self-care, it’s a recipe for caregiver stress, fatigue and eventual burnout. In this article, we’re going to talk about recognizing when your stress levels are getting too high and some tips for dealing with caregiver stress.
SIGNS THAT YOU MAY BE TOO STRESSED Everyone copes with stress differently, but if you find yourself experiencing any of the symptoms below then your stress might be progressing to unhealthy levels. • • • • • • •
Feeling run-down or tired often Difficulty sleeping Trouble concentrating Resenting obligations Not taking care of your own health Smoking, drinking or eating too much Cutting back on activities that you usually enjoy
