Caregivers are the rock that holds things together for the person they are caring for. The caregiver is expected to always take care of people, but who takes care of the caregiver? Not many people realize that caregivers put their mental and physical health when they are doing their job. Even when they are off the clock, they are the type of people who continue to think about the people they’re caring for. Trying to juggle their personal lives while being a caregiver puts them at risk of depression or other chronic illnesses.
Declining Mental Health
A caregiver is a professional who puts themselves at a higher risk of developing a mental illness. Caregivers put themselves at risk of depression, anxiety, and stress. Unfortunately, many caregivers repress it because they do not want to burden the people they care for with their issues. Not only do caregivers have higher rates of mental health symptoms, but they also suffer the physical strain of their work. Caring for people who cannot care for themselves takes a lot of physical and psychological stress.
Poor Eating Habits
The declining mental and physical health stress can lead to poor eating habits. Caregivers have very little time to care for themselves. That includes taking the time to shop for ingredients and cook for themselves. Typically, they only have time for quick and convenient food. Unfortunately, these foods are heavily processed with few nutrients, many calories, and packed with sugars and carbohydrates.
Sleep Deprivation
An unhealthy combination of stress and poor eating habits leads to sleep deprivation. Caregivers don’t turn on their brains at night because they worry about the people they are looking out for. Are they sleeping, okay? Are they having any issues? All these questions run through a caregiver’s head a night, leading to insomnia. Sleep deprivation, poor eating habits, and stress can lead to diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and other health conditions.
Caregivers are not likely to seek support for their issues. They do not seek out self-care because they’re busy caring for others. That’s why self-care for caregivers is essential.
