Blog > Positive Ways to Handle Anxiety When You’re a Family Caregiver

Positive Ways to Handle Anxiety When You're a Family Caregiver

Anxiety affects everyone. Just over 18 percent of U.S. adults suffer from some form of anxiety disorder. When you’re a family caregiver dealing with daily stress, it’s hard not to feel anxious from time to time.

How you handle that stress and anxiety matters. If you don’t find positive ways to burn off the angst, you could make the situation worse. Some people turn to bad habits like overeating or indulging in alcoholic beverages. It’s better to find positive ways to handle stress and anxiety.

Get Outside

Elder Care Newberry FL - Positive Ways to Handle Anxiety When You're a Family Caregiver — Elder Care Newberry FL – Positive Ways to Handle Anxiety When You’re a Family Caregiver

Go outside for a walk, a bike ride, or a swim. Fresh air helps clear your mind of stressors. The exercise also helps reduce stress, especially if you’re prone to being moodier when it’s snowing or raining out.

Change Your Diet

Some people find that a diet that’s high in sugar, fats, and processed foods makes them feel worse. If you deal with stress and anxiety, try eating foods that are rich in antioxidants, B vitamins, and vitamin D for a few days. See if it helps you.

Don’t drink sugary sodas or teas. Switch to unsweetened tea, seltzer, and water that’s infused with fresh fruit. Make sure your diet is high in vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and fruit. You may find a new diet is a helpful step when it comes to feeling better.

Learn Yoga or Tai Chi

Yoga and Tai Chi are exercise forms that blend movements, meditation, and breathing. It helps with balance and muscle tone, but the deep, relaxation breathing helps boost hormones that ease stress. You also take time focusing on being calm and centered, which also helps with stress management. Look for online beginner videos to get started or join a class at a local gym, fitness studio, or health center.

Do Something Constructive

Instead of letting the stress build up, find a constructive outlet for your fear, annoyance, frustration, and angst. Some people find that building things or exploring a hobby is a good way to manage stress. Woodworking, baking bread, and gardening are other hobbies people find helps with stress. The physical work hammering, kneading dough, and digging all help you clear your mind.

Pay Attention to Your Physical and Mental Needs

Do not enter into a care plan without having the chance to take breaks. If you have no time to exercise, eat a proper meal, or socialize, you’re making a mistake. It’s important to step away and have time alone or with friends.

To do that, talk to our elder care agency. You want to have elder care providers step in now and then so that you can go out. Take a walk by yourself. Join friends for dinner and a movie. Relax at home with your children over pizza and a movie. Elder care services will make a difference when it comes to your well-being.

Source: https://adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics

If you are considering Elder Care Services in Newberry FL, for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Touching Hearts Home Care. Call today: 352-225-3727.