4 Clues that You’re Overdue for a Break from Caregiving

Caregiver in Riverhead NY

If you’ve been denying yourself a break from caregiving, you’re likely doing far more harm than good. Your body and your brain will give you hints that you really should make some time for respite, but you have to listen to those clues.

Your Health Is Suffering

If you’re starting to realize that you’re sniffling more often than usual or you’re flat out sick, you may be overdue for some rest. When you’re running around burning the candle at both ends, your body uses a lot of resources to keep you up and running. Some of those resources are ones that would otherwise be bolstering your immune system. Divert them and suddenly you’re not feeling so great.

You Feel as if Your Thoughts Are Scattered

Your physical health isn’t the only casualty in the break debate. Your mind can get so overwhelmed when you’re constantly filling it with information that you may get to a point where you literally don’t know what to think about next. Given some time to relax and to recover, you can deal with this situation. But when you’re not giving yourself even the smallest of breaks, your thoughts are likely to remain a bit scattered.

Your Emotions Are All Over the Place

And when it isn’t your brain or your physical health that’s feeling out of whack, you might find that your emotional health is suffering, too. Emotions that are normally easier to keep under control may be more difficult to manage when you’re overdoing it. You may also find that situations in which you typically feel calm and in control can sometimes get away from you, taking you by surprise.

You Can’t Remember When You Just Felt Tired

A common problem when you’re not taking breaks the way that you should is that you bypass tired and go straight to exhausted. With that kind of exhaustion, you may find that trying to catch up on sleep still doesn’t work. Often that’s because although you are tired, it’s more complicated than just getting some extra sleep.

Whether you hire elderly care providers to take over for you or you have other family members who can step in, you need to make respite time a regular part of your routine.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring professional caregiver services in Riverhead, NY, call the caring staff at Artful Home Care today at 631-685-5001.