Let’s face it, caregiving is never easy and sometimes it feels like you are walking through a tunnel which has neither light nor end. It may take up every second of your waking hours and rob you off your sleep too. During these times, it is only normal for the caregiver to feel tired even if you just got out of bed and barely starting your day. This “tired” feeling you have been getting is fatigue and it can really get in the way if you don’t give it some of your attention!
A caregiver’s golden rule is to stay as healthy as possible since it will be impossible to fully attend to your senior’s needs if you are not in your tiptop shape. Staying healthy is, by the way, not an option. You need to be healthy, if not for you then for your patient. However, you need to be very careful of the things you do and eat to boost your energy levels as you will need your energy to last althroughout the day and not just a couple of energy spurts.
• Switch to Old Fashioned Oatmeal. Instant and quick-cooking oats are more processed than an old fashioned one. Stay away from those flavored ones as well since you just need the carbohydrates and fiber in a bowl of oatmeal and nothing more. If you need to jazz it up, go for nuts, seeds and fresh fruits.
• Load up on probiotics. It is important to keep your digestive system in good working order so you won’t feel bloated hence sluggish. Instead of going for a sugar rush with your favorite ice cream, try gobbling up yogurt.
• Mix your own trail mixes. Nuts, seeds, dried fruits.. whatever rocks your boat! Best thing about mixing your own trail mix is that you can control what goes in it and you know exactly what you will get. Nuts and seeds will provide all the protein you need which eventually will be converted to energy plus you also get omega 3 on the side.
• Try to be as organized as possible. Why? Because it will be easier for you to do things if they are within reach or you know exactly where to find the things you need. In other words, it conserves your energy in some way.
• Plan your tasks accordingly—and make sure you provide allowances. As a caregiver, you know that it is quite impossible to keep a sane routine every single day. Emergencies are bound to happen however, you still need to do tasks while making yourself available to last minute ones. Planning them to spread through entire week will help you keep your sanity intact and do without tiring yourself too much.
