I am not the first to admit that family, professional, and private caregivers have difficult jobs…some more so than others. That’s why each year my administrative team and I host a special Christmas party for our hard-working caregivers at Home Helpers.
We all enjoy food, fun, and fellowship together since that rarely happens, and we get to acknowledge their hard work and dedication to our team, and most especially, our dear clients!
Because good physical and mental health is crucial to a caregiver’s ability to perform at their optimum, care for caregivers during the holidays and into New Year 2024 is very important.
Zen Caregiving Project says, “The Holidays can be a joyous (yet) stressful time, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. We offer 10 tips for caregivers to take care of themselves over the holidays (and into the New Year).”
- Practice self-love. While the holidays can be stressful, it’s essential to take care of your physical and mental health. Keeping yourself healthy produces positive outcomes and improves the quality of care for those who depend on you.
- Keep it simple. Remember, you have only so much energy and so many resources, don’t expend them at the expense of your health. Keeping things simple and stress-free will save energy and your mental health.
- No-stress meals. It’s okay to go out for meals or order in. The point is to enjoy the time together with those you love. If the time spent preparing a meal is more stressful than it’s worth, skip it.
- Start a new tradition. Sometimes getting out and about isn’t possible due to personal responsibilities and time constraints. Invite people over to decorate, watch holiday movies at home, and make yourself your favorite treat. You can develop new traditions that fit your life.
- You can ask for help. Ask your friends and family to help with cleaning or groceries and tidying up. If resources allow, you can also order the things you need online or hire someone to help you.
- Shop online. With so much going on, it’s challenging to find time to shop for gifts. Don’t be afraid to shop online for gifts and groceries, it’s a great time saver and keeps things relatively stress-free.
- Brush off negativity. It’s the time for connecting with loved ones but also a time to keep our differences in check. Negative comments may come and go but don’t own them, brush them aside. Enjoy the time with those you love.
- Let go of perfection. Don’t let perfection be the enemy of good. You have limited resources and limited bandwidth, so work with what you have but leave perfection behind. The point is to enjoy the season.
- Connect with caregivers. If you haven’t already, connect with caregivers in your community or find online communities to share your thoughts and gather tips. This is a great time to lean on these communities as you process the holidays.
- Go with the flow. Take things as they come. There’s little need to stress about things that are beyond your control. You’ll feel much better physically and emotionally, so let go of the little things and allow yourself to enjoy the company of those you love.
If you are a caregiver, I encourage you to take heed of these important tips and share them with other caregivers you know. It is essential that you take care of yourself and routinely prioritize your own needs to avoid burnout, isolation, and depression. A little self-care will go a long way to help you maintain a healthy quality of life, sustain your professional fulfillment, and allow you to perform at your best for your clients throughout 2024.
If you are interested in becoming a caregiver, I welcome you to learn more about Home Helpers® and complete an application. Serving families in their homes is a special calling, and I am grateful to continually attract talented, committed people to take advantage of our senior care employment opportunities.
We, at Home Helpers® Clearwater, are honored to have received the Home Care Pulse – Best of Home Care® Provider of Choice Award 2016-2022 and the Best of Home Care® Employer of Choice Award 2022. We proudly serve male and female seniors in Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Safety Harbor, Tarpon Springs, Holiday, New Port Richey, Trinity, Port Richey, Hudson, and surrounding areas. Home Helpers®…we are Making Life Easier℠ 727.942.2539
Source:
Zen Caregiving Project
