Caregiver Burnout; Here’s How You Can Overcome This Physical, Mental & Psychological Fatigue!

Caregivers have the most demanding job; taking care of those who can’t take care of themselves. These may include individuals struggling with psychological, mental, psychiatric, or physical challenges. Caregivers’ responsibilities range from helping with daily routine tasks such as bathing, feeding, medication management, and dressing up to specific medical duties such as changing a dressing, monitoring blood pressure, administering injections, and so on. While their jobs are extremely important because the patients need their constant support, it is also quite natural for caregivers to experience overwhelming fatigue and stress that doesn’t allow them to do their jobs. This feeling is known as Caregiver Burnout.

 

What Is Caregiver Burnout?

 

As the name suggests, it is a state of physical and mental stress and fatigue caregivers experience. It often happens as a result of exhaustion caregivers experience after taking care of the patients for either a long time or more than their physical or mental capacity. The most common symptoms of caregiver burnout are anxiety, stress, fatigue, and depression. Sleep disorders, a sense of helplessness, withdrawal, and negative emotions are also quite common in caregiver burnout. 

 

Ways To Overcome A Caregiver Burnout

Being a caregiver, and acknowledging your difficult state of stress and fatigue is the first step towards overcoming your burnout. Admitting that your job is tough and it can take a toll on your mental and psychological health is the starting point of your healing journey. 

 

Below are some of the ways that can help you overcome caregiver burnout:

 

• Reach Out For Help:

There is nothing wrong with asking for help. In fact, it is best to write down ways in which people can help you. You can start with something mundane, i.e., going for a walk in the park with a friend or family member. If you feel like it, you can always seek professional help such as seeing a therapist or joining group therapy. 

 

• Focus On Self-Help & Self-Preservation:

As the nature of your job is more centered on the care of the patients, you might often neglect yourself. However, prioritising self-help always helps. You can read self-help books. Listen to podcasts by motivational speakers, self-help experts, and authors. Try and manifest self-help to come out of your difficult phase while also working on self-preservation. You don’t want to come out a different person as your compassion and empathy are the attributes that you’ll always need. 

 

• Talk About Your Feelings: 

Keeping your emotions bottled up will only worsen your mental and physical state. If you don’t want to start seeing a therapist right away, you can start by talking about your feelings with someone like you. Caregivers can understand your position like no one else. As part of their own jobs, they have gone through the same feelings at some point too. Talking to them can even lead to a solution. They might even tell you some useful ways to prevent burnout in the first place. 

 

How Long Does A Caregiver Burnout Last?

 

Unfortunately, there is no timeline for recovery. Every person is different. While some may feel better in days, others may take years to overcome burnout. However, the only thing you need to do is give yourself time. Rushing and overly obsessing over getting back to your duties will never help. Seek professional medical help if required and never ignore the signs of a caregiver burnout.