iSavta | 04.09.2020

Caregiving is something that most people get used to especially if they are in this profession for quite a long time. It is draining and toxic at times but long term caregivers somehow were able to manage the day to day stress that Caregiving brings.

 

One of the most difficult aspects to overcome from Caregiving is the mental exhaustion especially to those who are taking care of patients who are 90-100% dependent. Most of these patients are emotionally unstable as well. This situation adds up to the mental burden that the Caregiver has to endure.

 

This feeling of fatigue does not always come from the physical demands of the job. It’s usually the result of repressed emotions which buiild up and manifested through physical exhaustion that would lead to sickness. 

 

But, a job is a job and you can’t just take your gloves off and leave. For migrant caregivers from other countries, saying enough is enough is not a very practical option. 

 

So how can you have a mental break from all these stress while keeping your job and earning a living?

 

The goal here is to rest your mind and let it wander down memory lane or wander off the future. Here’s our few suggestions:

 

1. Have some “ME” time during your rest hours. You have a couple of hours a day to rest. Use these hours to do what you love to do. Talk to your family, write a journal or learn a new recipe. Whatever that makes you feel good about yourself, do it.
2. Remember the moment when you were laughing so hard, your face hurts. Nothing beats a good laugh. And by reminiscing those special moments, you can’t help but laugh again. Connect with those people who you were with during those moments. Those are the people who would probably make you laugh that hard again. And you need that.
3. Have a nice warm shower. It’s amazing to feel clean, fresh and comfortable and a good nice shower can definitely give you this feeling. Light a scented candle, shampoo your hair, scrub your toe, put some lotion and wear comfortable clothes. A nice warm bath does not just cleanse your body, it cleanses your soul as well. 
4. Imagine yourself after 5 years. Dig in and be positive about it. Imagine yourself doing things that you are happy about while still earning and taking care of your family. Think about possible investments, possibly done with caregiving, having your own business and travelling the world. If you can imagine it, you can do it. But the most important thing here is you work on it and you do your best to achieve it.
5. Have a good conversation with your favorite person. It can be your spouse, your mom or your best friend. Talk to this person and avoid negative topics. Talk about good memories, plans and dreams. Have a conversation that would make you both feel good even if the call lasts for hours.
6. Put on your nice sweatshirt, make a coffee, sit by the window and listen to the rain. Very sentimental but very effective set up to wander off and think about life. Think about all the good things that you have in your life right now. You will realize that you are indeed blessed compared to a lot of people.
7. Listen to your favorite songs. Put on your headphone and play your songs. Music is one of the key ingredients in distressing. It's effective and it will help you clear up your mind, let you wander off to la la land and have a peaceful rest. 

Caregiving is something that most people would not dare to get into. For you to commit yourself in such a stressful job is a manifestation of you being brave and resilient. You deserve a break and you deserve a pat on the back. You are important.