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Vicki's Advice: Writing Off Caregiver Stress
by Licensed Clinical Social Worker Vicki Muir
For many years, while caregiving myself and also working in counseling sessions with caregivers, I have come to believe that the experience of caregiving and its effect the body, mind and emotions often goes unrecognized or misunderstood in our society - even by those in the medical profession.
We know that caregivers are at high risk for developing depression, anxiety, changes in mood and cognitive function as well as physical complaints and declines in health.
Stress is a major culprit in this process, especially in situations of long-term caregiving for a person with one of the dementias or a chronic illness - although any caregiving situation can set off this spiral.
So, they say that if we can’t take care of our self we can’t truly provide our loved ones with the care and attention that they need. This is so true when you are often overwhelmed and fatigued, isolated and sometimes without support.
Developing a personal self-care toolbox is so important.
I would like to discuss Journaling and Caregiver Stress today. I’ve mentioned some of the health complications known to caregiving and want to suggest that if you are experiencing any of them, please consult your primary care physician.
Now, for one of my practical prescriptions for health and wellbeing.
Journaling has many healthful benefits such as stress reduction, relaxation, grounding, reducing body complaints such as headache, tight shoulders and others - as well as increasing the mind-body connection. It can help with anxiety and depression as well as helping to stabilize mood changes. It helps to turn off the fight or flight syndrome caused by stress. It helps to rest the brain and turn off constant thinking about problems. It also stimulates the autoimmune system.
Check back for more CAREGIVER advice from Vicki each month at CaregiverOklahoma.com
