Stress impacts both physical and mental health. Stress makes the heart beat harder and increases respiratory rates. It’s exhausting to be stressed every day. Excessive stress can make you angry or sad. You may find your short temper is affecting your relationships and quality of care you provide. If you ignore it, there’s the risk of depression and panic attacks.

April is Stress Awareness Month. If you’re a family caregiver, take time to focus on your health. Use these five ways to de-stress and start to feel better about yourself and your situation.

Take a Daily Walk

Home Care Spartanburg SC and Stress Awareness

Every day get out and take a walk. Aim for an hour. On days the weather isn’t great, you may have to go for a shorter walk. Make sure you’re getting out and breathing fresh air and enjoying the sun when it’s out.

Join a Support Group

Whether you’re online or go out to a local support group, it helps to have others to talk to. There are support groups for family caregivers and others that are specific to certain chronic health conditions. If you’re caring for a parent with cancer, look for a cancer support group. And, seek Alzheimer’s support groups if your parent has Alzheimer’s.

Clean the House

It sounds counterproductive to de-stressing, but sometimes really cleaning the house helps ease stress. Turn on some music that invigorates you. Move furniture, really scrub away grime, dust, and sit back at the end and enjoy the clean, organized house. Knowing that you’ve checked a deep cleaning off your to-do list is also a perk.

Get Physical

If you ask a therapist who specializes in anxiety and stress what they recommend, some will say physical activity is key. Find a quiet space in a garage or basement and jump rope. Get a punching bag and work on boxing skills. Take a Zumba dance class or hike up a mountain.

Go on a Vacation

Take a few days to yourself and visit another state or city. Spend time lounging in a hotel, visit museums, or head to the beach for long walks and soothing ocean sounds. If money is limited, look for campgrounds. If that’s not possible, a stay-cation in your home will work.

During the time you’re taking a break, hire caregivers to take over caring for your parents. Home care services ensure your parents have meals, medication reminders, and transportation while you’re away. Call a home care agency and ask about respite care.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring Home Care in Spartanburg, SC, contact Heart of the Carolinas Home Care at 864-991-3116.  Providing Home Care Services in Greenville, Simpsonville, Greer, Anderson, Spartanburg, Mauldin, Seneca, Laurens, Charleston, Columbia and the surrounding areas.

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Edward Harrison

Edward Harrison founded the Heart of the Carolinas Homecare in 2007 when he saw there was a need for caregivers that provide non-medical home care services, at a price that most people could afford. It was standard in the industry to require hourly minimums and it was common to be assigned a caregiver, not matched with one based on your individual personal needs. Edward understood that to make a successful relationship between caregiver and client, skills were not enough, personality and compatibility plays as much a role as do skills.
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