Belmont Village Quarterly Newsletter
on Senior Living

A Holiday Recipe for Reducing Caregiver Stress

As the holidays approach, expectations escalate all around.  We want to create a perfect holiday for ourselves and our families, but perfection carries a high cost—the stress of trying to please everyone at once can take a heavy toll.  This is especially true in the case of caregivers who are already overloaded. 

Studies show that the majority of family caregivers experience stress, but taking time to take care of yourself can ameliorate the effects and ensure that you will be able to continue to provide care over time.

To enjoy the happy holiday season that you and your family want and deserve, take time to take care:

• Eat nutritious meals—some holiday treats are fine, but don’t overdo the sugar.
• Get enough sleep—if you are awakened during the night, give yourself permission to nap during the day if you have the chance.
• Exercise regularly—finding someone to exercise with will make it more fun and help keep you going.
• Maintain or establish social contacts—reduce isolation—taking time to laugh and have fun will take your mind off your problems and help maintain a healthy emotional balance.
• Ask friends or relatives for help—loved ones are often eager to help, but don’t know how—pick a specific task and don’t be afraid to ask—even occasional help can bring relief.
• Use community resources—meal or shopping services, volunteers from faith-based organizations, etc. can help lighten the load.
• Try to take time for yourself—do something you enjoy: take a walk or a nap, read quietly, listen to music—the important thing is to be nice to yourself!
• Pace yourself and set limits—don’t push yourself to exhaustion—it will be harder to bounce back if you wear yourself down—sometimes it’s okay to say no.
• Seek support when you need it—Belmont Village communities offer a variety of support options—from caregiver support groups to educational seminars to short-term stays.  Please contact a community near you to find out what’s available in your area. 

To access Belmont Village community contact information and get more information about some of the events and support groups available at our communities, please visit our website, www.belmontvillage.com.