0
0
Perhaps the greatest joy of a caregiver’s job is the feeling of helping others. No doubt, it’s a rewarding job. Caring for vulnerable or ill people at the most difficult hour is very noble. However, there is a catalyst effect too. When caregivers spend too much time caring for others, they start neglecting themselves and become distressed and fatigued. This phenomenon is known as caregiver burnout. Healthcare recruitment agencies may not tell you to prepare for this, but you must learn how to overcome and manage your caregiver burnout efficiently.
What Is Caregiver Burnout?
Caregiver burnout is a broad term. Long hours of care work, days and even months of self-neglect, and mental exertion of caring for the ill or elderly, lead to a state of constant stress and anxiety. As common as this is, caregivers often misread caregiver burnout as routine fatigue or work stress.
If you are a nurse, a caregiver, or an HCA, here are some symptoms of burnout to see if your stress is regular stress or experiencing caregiver burnout.
- Unhealthy Eating Patterns
- Poor Sleep
- Weight Gain Or Loss With No Apparent Reason
- Feeling Drained All The Time
- Feeling Distressed and Demotivated
- Loss Of Interest In Usual Activities
- Lack Of Interest In Social Life
- Irritability & Unhappiness
- Recurring Physical Illnesses
- Inability To Seek Professional Help
As a nurse or caregiver, you must understand that if you are experiencing any of these, there are more than just healthcare solutions for you. Although all healthcare recruitment agencies in the UK must provide special instructions to nurses on taking care of their mental health and physical well-being, only the best nurse recruitment agencies provide assistance in this regard. It is extremely crucial to care for those who take care of others.
10 Tips To Overcome & Prevent A Caregiver Burnout
Lifestyle adjustments, behaviour modification, and prioritizing self-care can help you overcome burnout. Below are ten proven tips that will help you deal with mental and physical stress effectively.
-
Accept Your Capacity
The first step is acceptance. Pushing your limits did this to you. Going beyond your physical capacity for a long time isn’t recommended in any case. Once you understand that there is a limit to what you can do, it will be a lot easier for you to stay consistent with your work without having burnout.
-
Take Out Time For Your Self
Sometimes a caregiver’s job doesn’t allow them to take time for themselves. This leads to self-neglect. To avoid that from happening, always prioritise some time for yourself. It could be a spa session, a book reading session, tea with someone you love, or anything that makes you feel good about yourself.
-
Meditation May Be The Answer
This ancient technique has helped millions in restoring their balance in life. Meditation heals you from within. Breathing exercises allow you to calm down and focus on things that matter to you. Moreover, it also instills a sense of calm and serenity. This keeps your panic attacks at bay and controls your anxiety as well.
-
Seek Help From Others
When it comes to the job of a nurse or a caregiver, they sometimes develop a sense of over-independence. They think that asking for help means they are not strong enough. However, this isn’t right. Your fellow caregivers, your colleagues, your friends, and your family can help you more than you think. Not only can they listen to your situation but may also provide a solution.
-
Maintain A Healthy Lifestyle
Caregivers have a tough job. This is why they often neglect their health which ultimately leads to physical and mental health problems. And once you enter the burnout zone, it gets even more difficult to prioritise your health.
To avoid such problems, you must focus on maintaining healthy habits such as eating a healthy and nourishing diet, going out for regular walks, going for workout at least thrice a week, staying hydrated, getting adequate sleep, and of course, sticking to your doctor appointments at all costs.
-
Stay Active In Your Social Circle
Isolation is the most detrimental factor in burnout. Meeting people, talking with them, knowing about what’s happening, and staying an active member of your social group is extremely important to prevent burnout. Whether you have nurse recruiters in your social group or just that one special friend whom you love very dearly, just stay in touch with them to avoid isolation.
-
Join A Caregiver Support Group
No one can understand your situation better than your fellow caregivers. You can even form your own group by contacting the caregivers from the healthcare recruitment agency. Talking with them, and sharing your experience with them will help you reach a solution quicker than you think.
-
Don’t Lose Your Identity
Your work might be your passion but you shouldn’t let it define you. You have your personal identity apart from work. Always spare time for things that make you feel alive and you love them.
-
Take A Vacation
Taking a break from work is essential. Plan a vacation for yourself. Being a caregiver, your job is very demanding and could make you tired and dull. This is why you must always plan a vacation to hit your reset button.
-
Be Kind To Yourself
As a caregiver, you treat people with kindness, compassion, and respect. But always remember to be kind to yourself first. Think of yourself as a human and not a super hero. Understand that there could be difficult moments but you must not let them discourage you.
