Caregiver stress is a popular topic these days, and for many caregivers burnout is a very real factor this time of year. I spoke with several people this week who are feeling that they can’t live up to what’s expected of them…that there simply aren’t enough hours in the day to take care of their children, their jobs, their ailing parents, their holiday plans etc.
In order to juggle caregiving responsibilities with all the other demands of daily life, time management strategies can be a life saver. Try these techniques next time you’re feeling overwhelmed:
• Unplug from technology: Laptops and cell phone with Wi-Fi are great, but they make us available to any and all who need us 24/7. Unless that’s part of your job responsibilities, it may be interfering with your ability to relax and enjoy whatever down time you have.
• Make a list: It’s hard to relax when you’re carrying around a mental “To Do” list. Before you go to bed each night, write down all the things you need to take care of the next day. That way you can put them on paper, and let the weight of responsibility go for the night.
• Mono-task instead of multi-task: Our brains can only focus well on one thing at a time. Trying to do too much at one time can cause silly mistakes that take time to correct.
• Start with the most dreaded task on your list: Avoiding an unpleasant task uses up a lot of emotional energy. Attack them first thing instead of worrying about them all day.
• Schedule time to recharge your batteries: Whether its 30 minutes with a cup of coffee and a good book, or 30 minutes at the gym, be sure you give yourself a little “me time” each day.
• Delegate what you can: No one can go it alone. Let your family, friends, and co-workers help when possible.
No comments:
Post a Comment