Welcome to caregiving during a pandemic. The new rule?  Take all the rules, and throw them out the window.

Seriously though, everything has changed in recent weeks. All the normalcy has gone away. We are at the beginning of week 9 of stay at home orders.  I am tired, you are tired, the children are tired, your perennials are tired.

Who knew staying at home could be so exhausting?

But as all caregivers know, this work never stops. And now, with adult day centers and respite programs closed, our children at home, and our jobs still expecting us to work from home, it is hard to even get a break.

Getting that break, however, is imperative. Burnout is real and common for caregivers in the best of times. Right now? It is seems almost unavoidable. But we must take care of ourselves first, or we won’t be much help to those who need us.

What can you do to make things easier for yourself?

  • Take a break. When you have a moment to yourself, take it.  Call a friend just to chat, read a book, or take a nap. These moments of mental rest are essential for allowing us to come back to caregiving refreshed.
  • Get some exercise. We all feel better after we get moving. It helps improve our mood and lessen our stress and anxiety. If you can get outdoors, even better. Get some fresh air if you can.
  • Find a distraction. Adult coloring books have been all the rage in the last few years. Know why? Because focusing on an activity like coloring distracts you from all your other thoughts. Don’t like to color? Pick up another hobby such as puzzles, knitting, painting, or whatever appeals to you. Bonus points if it is something you can do either with your perennials or while simply spending time with them (i.e., NOT DOING CAREGIVING WORK).
  • Get some sleep. If you are anything like me, you are finding it hard to sleep these days. But it is important to try to get our full 7 to 8 hours. It improves our mood, and it is good for our immune systems, both things we need to be in good shape these days!
  • Get some help. If you have trusted caregivers who help you or provide respite, don’t feel bad about continuing to use them. Take precautions (wear masks, wash hands, stay as socially distant as you can) when they are in your home, but also don’t feel bad about needing help. Caregiving is hard work in the best of times and right now is NOT the best of times. Don’t feel guilty that you can’t go it alone.

Taking care of yourself is extra important as we go through this. I know it is easier said than done. But doing things to make your life better will only benefit the ones you are caregiving for. So make it happen as much as you can!