Taking breaks from your caregiver duties can provide you with peace of mind, which is great for your overall wellbeing. While on break, try to focus on your personal goals and health instead of worrying about the needs of your aging loved one. If you’re not sure what to do with your downtime, consider the following suggestions by the San Diego home care specialists at Coast Care Partners.
1. Work Out
Sign up for the gym and work out while you’re away from caregiving. You can get your body in shape and reduce your stress, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels while working out. Exercise is a feel-good activity that can calm the mind.
2. Read
Caregivers should consider reading books while they’re away from caregiving. Reading is a great way to take your focus off your loved one. Instead, you’ll be distracted by the interesting stories you’ve chosen to read. Keep in mind that reading is more about relaxing and less about productivity, which is exactly what you need while you’re on a break.
3. Meditate
If you have a short break away from caregiving, try meditation. You don’t need to sit on a mat for hours to meditate. Simply sit down on the living room couch or a kitchen chair and gather your thoughts. You’ll finally have the time to sort out the ideas that have been jumping around in your head, allowing you to get some clarity in your life.
4. Connect with Others
Being a family caregiver has likely caused you to lose touch with friends and some family members, which is why you should use this time away to reconnect. Go through your texts and emails to see what you’ve been missing out on. Send messages to people you haven’t talked to in months and see if they can meet up. Never let friendships fade away because of your hectic schedule.
5. Take Classes
You don’t need to enroll in a college course. Instead, you can take fun and short courses during your time away from caregiving, including martial arts, cooking, music, or public speaking classes. The objective is to relax the mind while doing something fun. Taking classes may boost your confidence.
6. Go on Vacation
If you have a few days off from caregiving, take a fun vacation with your spouse, children, or friends. During the vacation, enjoy the beautiful sites around you and try new adventures and foods.
7. Catch Up on Rest
Sometimes family caregivers simply need a day to rest. You can wake up and cook breakfast, then take a morning nap, followed by a little cleaning, then more rest. Your body may appreciate the rest and minimal activity. After catching up on rest, you can return to your caregiving duties with more energy and a renewed spirit.
Hiring a professional caregiver is one of the best ways to take a break from your caregiving duties to rest or run errands. Whether you need some downtime or your aging loved one requires minor help with daily tasks, the experts at Coast Care Partners can help. We are a leading caregiver agency with the best senior care San Diego has to offer. Our experts can help your parent enjoy a high quality of life while aging in the comfort of home. To learn about our comprehensive in-home care options, give us a call at 619-354-2544 today.
