5 Stress Relievers Every Caregiver Should Know: Prioritize, Move, and Thrive

Feeling overwhelmed by your endless to-do list? As a caregiver, managing stress is crucial for your well-being and the care you provide. Here are five practical strategies to help you reduce stress, prioritize tasks, and find moments of peace amidst your busy life.

1. Prioritize Your To-Do List

Take a hard look at your to-do list and separate the essentials from the non-essentials. Create two lists: one for tasks that absolutely must be done, and another for things that would be nice to accomplish. Now, focus only on what’s essential. Break down your essential tasks into three categories: Top Priority (#1), Medium Priority (#2), and Low Priority (#3). Concentrate on the #1 tasks to free up mental space and reduce stress.

2. Move Your Body

Exercise is a powerful stress reliever, thanks to those endorphins it releases. Whether it’s a brisk walk, dancing to your favorite tunes, or pushing your loved one in a wheelchair, find ways to move that you find enjoyable. Pushing them while you walk can do wonders for both of you! You're getting exercise, stress relief, a change of scenery, mood enhancement, and as an added bonus, you’re lowering your odds of getting dementia.

What if you walked on the treadmill while watching a favorite TV show?

Turn up some old music and dance alone or with your loved one. Be silly and have fun.

3. Know Your High-Performance Times

Identify when you are most productive—morning, afternoon, or evening. Use these peak times to tackle your most important tasks that require more focus and energy. Save the less critical, menial tasks, like laundry, cleaning, or going through junk mail for when your energy dips. This approach ensures you’re working with your natural rhythms and staying productive without burning out.

4. Set Realistic Goals

Everything doesn’t need to be completed at once. Refer to the priority list we created in step one.

Goals need to be adjusted as the care recipient’s ability changes. Caregivers are wise when they lower expectations for themselves and their loved ones.

An excellent example is having the goal to be at appointments early but being happy if you made it on time. If you were a little late, understand that’s okay too. You got there, and that means the goal was accomplished.

You are doing a challenging service in being a caregiver. Many people either cannot or will not make the sacrifices you make daily.

So what if you aren’t on time? If you arrived and you and your loved one are dressed, teeth in, glasses on, and shoes on, you succeeded!

I enlarged that because you need to hear it. I suggest rereading it to get it into your heart.

5. Give Yourself a Break

Self-care is essential, not selfish. Take time to recharge by doing something that brings you joy or relaxation. Whether it’s reading a book, enjoying a hobby, soaking in a bath, or simply sipping coffee in peace, find moments to unwind. It’s easy to get caught up in constantly being in motion, but your mind and body need rest time. By caring for yourself, you’re better equipped to care for others.

Here is more info. on reducing stress or anxiety