Looking after a patient can actually burn out caregivers. Especially if you are taking care of a person suffering from complicated chronic illnesses like neurological disorders, chronic kidney disorders (CKD), etc.

It is observed that the caregiver burns out while taking care of the patient. Like if someone is not healthy in a family, it can be stressful for the patient as well as for the caregivers.

There are various factors that lead to the mental and physical exhaustion of caregivers over time. You must have started full of enthusiasm, but slowly it becomes overwhelming.

You start ignoring your health; disturb your eating and sleeping routine, etc. You forget to take care of yourself. You lose interest in life, feel lethargic, irritated, and ultimately fall ill. 

7 Tips for CKD caregivers to fight burnout

Today we are discussing some important tips for avoiding caregiver burnout:

1. Practice Mindful happiness:

You must know the importance of self-love. And enjoy me-time. There is no need to feel guilty. You can choose your favorite activity like reading, writing, painting, music, exercise or meditation, etc. It can be anything that decompresses your mind and helps you to stay focused on your work.

2. Connect with others caregivers and learn from their experience:

You must know that you are not the only caregiver. There are many others who are successfully taking care of CKD patients. You can connect with them through offline and online communities CKD support groups in India like Wetogether.

It’s important to learn from authentic sources rather than shunting like a pendulum between fake information and numerous myths.

Wetogether.care is a platform where you get access to unbiased and authentic information about chronic kidney disease in one place.

The information is factual and shared by experts be it related to treatment or kidney transplantation, or financial aid information.

3. Take care of your mental and physical health:

How can you take care of someone else, if you are not mentally and physically fit? Before taking care of others, it’s important to take care of your health. Take care of your body needs from eating right to physical and mental activity.

Regular checkups help to keep track of your health. Physical activity, be it going to the gym or moderate exercises at home will relax your body. And de-stress activities like meditation helps to calm and rejuvenate you.

4. Rule out Signs of Stress:

If you are feeling lethargic, loss of interest, loss of sleep or sleeping too much, digestive problems, constant headache or heaviness, irritation, anxiety, excessive weight gain or loss, etc.

Then you need to see a professional psychiatrist or psychologist for counseling and therapy. This will help you to learn to cope with stress with a mindful approach. Then only you can enjoy the role of CKD caregivers.

5. Optimistic outlook:

If you consider only bad things, your self-esteem will hurt. And you might find yourself at a dead end. Hence, it’s important to focus on good things.

An optimistic outlook has a positive impact on your mental and physical health. For CKD patients many treatment options are available. Receive them with a positive outlook.

6. Share the Load:

There is no shame in sharing a load. You are a normal human being and not a robot that performs multiple tasks at a time.

Ask for help from friends, relatives, and neighbors for daily activities. You can even hire a helping hand for household chores etc.

7. Socialize with loved ones:

It’s important to take a break from the monotonous environment and move out. Living in one place can block your mind.

Meeting friends over lunch or dinner be it once a week or once a month helps to de-clutter and decompress your mind. It relaxes your soul and helps to perform your caregiver duty in full swing.

If you yourself a caregiver or know someone who is CKD caregivers pull yourself together. Hope these Tips for CKD caregivers to fight burnout will enlighten your path. Do share with the one in need.

Disclosure: The views expressed in the blog content are independent. And unbiased views of solely the blogger.
DISCLAIMER: The content in this post is purely meant for educational purpose only. And not to be substituted for professional medical advice. One should consult the expert for any related information.
Refrence: https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/caregiver-stress
http://www.carf.org/family-caregiver-burnout
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/caregiver-stress/art-20044784