Five Practical Things to Do if You’re Stressed

By Kevin Edwards | May 22, 2019 |

If stress is getting the better of you right now, it might not be easy to see any solutions. Stick to practical answers that give you real results so that you can get back to feeling better quickly.

Get up and Get Moving

Caregiver Lee’s Summit MO – Five Practical Things to Do if You’re Stressed

Exercise releases endorphins which can improve mood and relieve all sorts of issues, including pain. When you’re stressed, sometimes getting up and getting moving can release a combination of chemicals from your brain which help you to overcome those feelings. You might want to try something that doesn’t require you to think too much, too, like walking on a track or swimming laps.

Do Something You Enjoy

One of the biggest problems that caregivers run into is that they don’t have time and energy for the things that they love to do. Make it a habit to do things you enjoy, especially if you’re feeling stressed. That’s a sign that you’re ignoring your own needs again and that you need to pay attention to what gives you joy.

Reach out to Someone Who Understands

Having your own support system is crucial as a caregiver. Look for people who understand exactly what you’re dealing with on a daily basis. Support groups are a great place to find people who are going through what you’re going through. They can help you to vent when you need to and they can share solutions when you need them.

Find a Way to Relax

Look for something that helps you to relax. For some people it’s aromatherapy, while for others it’s yoga. Deep breathing, meditation, and visualization are other activities that you might find relaxing. Experiment a bit to figure out which ones help you the most. From there you can set up a schedule to help you to do this activity more regularly.

Just Rest

When is the last time that you simply rested? One of the problems that caregivers tend to run into is that they run themselves ragged and don’t get the time that they need to rest and to recharge a bit. As you start to recognize that you’re feeling stressed, take the time to just rest. It will do you a world of good.

Stress does not care how great you are at being a caregiver or how much you want to do right by your aging family member. It will still become a problem for you if you don’t have a plan in place to manage it. Make the time to deal with your stress as it crops up.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering Caregiver Services in the Lee’s Summit MO area, please contact the caring staff at Elder Care of Kansas City, today. Proudly serving Jackson, Clay, Platte and Cass Counties in Missouri as well as Johnson and Wyandotte Counties in Kansas for over 30 years. Call us at 816-333-3322.

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Kevin Edwards

Owner at Elder Care of Kansas City

Kevin’s life and the lives of his immediate family have been impacted by caregivers – either as a patient or a caregiver - for as long as he can remember.He watched his mother take care of his grandmother until her death at the age of 97.Five years later, his father passed from a neurological disorder that was subsequently confirmed as Lewy Body Dementia.In 2007, his wife, Lori, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.The symptoms of Lori’s disease required Kevin to hire a caregiver during the periods of her relapses.

Prior to purchasing Elder Care, Kevin spent over 20 years in the health insurance industry.In his most recent position, he was in a financial operations role with Humana where he worked with doctors, nurses and other health professionals developing programs to keep Humana members healthy.Their focus on primary care and medication adherence improved the lives of thousands of seniors in Kansas City and the surrounding area.

Kevin and his wife, Lori, have three children.Kevin has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Missouri.