We are in the caregiving industry, and we know that, at times, negative emotions and feelings can surround us. Burnout, depression, and anxiety—yes, we are experiencing them. When does it end? It’s always a good idea to make hay while the sun shines. Start promoting mental health today and prevent long-term mental illness, with a few small changes.

Do some self-care activities every day!

Lots of people only have self-care activities during weekends. For example, going to the spa, getting a massage, acupuncture, etc. These activities often consume a whole day and sometimes even cost half a paycheck. However, it’s better to actually have daily self-care activities instead of waiting for a day off to “treat yourself.” You can take a 5-minute daily meditation, you can have a daily 15-20 minute video call with your close friends, you can read books and take bubble baths, etc. You can also do any activity you really enjoy! Give yourself at least a few minutes every day to regulate emotions and revel in something restorative :)!

Commit to healthy eating habits!

An article published at Harvard Health Publishing mentioned that eating high-quality foods that contain lots of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants can protect our brains from oxidative stress. We understand that sometimes you are too busy to prepare a healthy meal from scratch for yourself and consume junk food. Try meal-prepping! You can cook several healthy meals with fresh veggies, whole grains and lean protein and store them in your refrigerator. So next time you’re in a pinch, you can just take out a meal, microwave it, and off you go!

Take breaks when you’re exhausted!

Breaks are crucial to preventing burnout. We know that when you’re so busy working on your tasks, stepping outside for a fifteen-minute break and getting some fresh air seems impossible, but you have to do it! Trust us, you need to release your accrued tension when you feel too overwhelmed since breaks can help you become more focused and energized. But if you continue to work when you are exhausted, you will only become less efficient, and that will take you even longer to finish your tasks. If you work with your team, please ensure that everyone can take breaks every 3-4 hours. Cover for each other while they’re on break.

Ignoring your stress is the least effective way to cope with your health issues! Let’s face mental health issues proactively together! Take our advice—we care about you a lot, and we want you to care about yourself as well!

REFERENCES:
RNnetwork
Gebaur Company
Harvard Health Publishing 

#THERAPEUTICTHURSDAY, Let’s Talk About Mental Health and Support Resources!

“You don’t have to struggle in silence. You can live well with a mental health condition, as long as you open up to somebody about it.” – Demi Lovato
Every Thursday, CareStory will discuss mental health issues that long-term care and hospice caregivers may face.

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