Preventing Caregiver Burnout
Being a caregiver to a loved one is extremely demanding. Regardless of the level of care, it is the combination of physical work as well as emotional and mental labour that makes caregiving a tireless and exhausting role.
Unfortunately, caregivers are especially prone to suffering from burnout. Burnout is more than a throwaway term for feeling tried. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines burnout as a “syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic stress that has not been successfully managed.” Burnout has three dimensions:
feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion
increased mental distance or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one's role
reduced efficacy
Why are Caregivers at Risk?
Caregivers are at risk of suffering from burnout. Caregivers may be described as:
Immediate family members tasked with the care of an elder or a person with a disability
Parents caring for ill or disabled children
Children providing senior care for parents
Friends, family, or other relations in a position of care
The reason these people are at such high risk for burnout is that they’re not just tasked with the physical aspect of caring. They are also invested emotionally, usually quite heavily. That takes a toll on a person’s mental wellbeing. Couple that with the physical exhaustion that results from doing laundry, cooking, cleaning, bathing, errands, and you can see how a caregiver simply lacks the energy to look after themselves when it’s needed. This is how burnout happens. Suffering from sustained periods of burnout without intervention can result in even more serious conditions such as depression, anxiety, panic disorders, sleep disturbances, substance abuse, and more.
Caregivers are not the only ones who suffer when they experience burnout. Many caregivers are unable to give their own families their best selves. They become irritable, impatient, and lack the energy to participate in family events or activities.
Signs of Burnout
Caregivers and their families need to be especially vigilant when it comes to identifying signs of burnout. Some signs include:
Alienation or self-isolating, especially from activities you once enjoyed
Headaches that are not usual
Stomach upset
Muscle tension
Lack of energy
Feelings of despair or cynicism
Decreased motivation
Irritability
Lack of patience/quick to anger
Inability to concentrate
Mental numbness/dissociation
Anxiety
Sleep disturbance/insomnia
In addition to a watchful eye for signs, friends and families of caregivers can also keep an eye on whether caregivers are neglecting their own needs in favour of caring for others. Healthy caregivers find a way to balance the care they give with the care they need.
Burnout Prevention
There are many ways to prevent burnout. Most of them centre around the concept of self-care and the belief that it is not possible to pour from an empty cup.
Look After Number One: Caregivers put themselves second or last over those they care for. But caregivers must change their mindset and understand that they are number one. If the caregiver isn’t at their best, they won’t be able to care for others. It is as they say when a plane is in distress: parents must don oxygen masks before attending to their children. Otherwise, they run the risk of not getting enough oxygen, which makes looking after their child then impossible. Put your oxygen mask on first. Then help others.
Physical Wellness: Living a healthy lifestyle will help caregivers avoid burnout. Eating well, getting enough sleep, staying hydrated and making time for exercise all help caregivers stay well while taking care of others.
Ask for Help: Sometimes caregivers feel isolated and alone. Or others may believe the caregiver has everything under control. But caregiving is emotionally and physically draining, and sometimes caregivers feel guilty asking for help. To avoid burnout, caregivers must feel safe and comfortable asking for assistance. Asking for help may including delegating tasks or taking a much-needed respite.
Pamper Yourself: Spa services have a lot of great health benefits. They allow caregivers to get the spiritual, restful, and meditative experience they so badly need and greatly deserve.
Sometimes, the only rest a caregiver gets is a forced one. Spa time is the perfect opportunity to slow down, rest, let your mind wander, and relax. At least during your service. We know that when it’s over, you’ll go back to taking care of others.
Mobile Spa Services are Available at Florilège Santé
We offer a full complement of mobile spa services including manicures, pedicures, facials, and massages. We want you to feel your best physically and spiritually.
Why a Mobile Spa?
So that we can come to you and give you a lush and relaxing spa service in the comfort of your home. We know you’re a caregiver, so we expect that your loved one is going to be present, and that’s okay with us.
Want a respite? Book a service for yourself, and book a caregiver for your loved one. That way you can have a quiet moment of rest to truly revel in the relaxation from your service. Take a long shower. Read a magazine. Meditate. Whatever you do, know that your loved one is in good hands with Florilège Santé.
Contact us to learn more about our mobile spa services and to see how we are refining personalized healthcare.
