Reducing Stress by Staying Organized
Feeling stressed? Try these strategies to help you feel more prepared and in control of your caregiving responsibilities.
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As a caregiver, you may feel like you’re juggling a lot of balls while frantically trying to keep all of them in the air. Your attention is on a variety of different tasks; each one feeling important and necessary. Maybe your to-do list keeps growing with no end in sight.
Whether you’re coordinating doctor’s appointments, making daily check-in phone calls, cooking meals, or helping with jobs around the house, you’ve got a lot on your mind and a lot that needs to be done. If you have a job or are caring for children while also caregiving, even more things may be calling out for your attention.
Take a deep breath. You are not alone.
It’s normal to feel your stress level increase as your loved one’s care needs increase. As more is added to your plate, it demands more of you physically, emotionally, and mentally.
Did you know that incorporating a few organizational strategies can help reduce stress and help you feel more prepared for the unexpected challenges in caregiving?
We encourage you to try one or more of the strategies listed below. Some encourage you to lean in for the support of others delegating tasks to them and other strategies focus more on how to organize your thoughts and have reasonable expectations.
Helpful Tips
- Assign Priorities
Make a list of what needs to be done and do the most important tasks first. - Identify Supportive People
Think of friends, neighbors or other relatives that are able to help and find out the types of support they can provide. That way, you’ll have a list of “go-to” people when specific needs arise. - Be Intentional as You Arrange Your Day
Try to take full advantage of any possible help from friends, neighbors and outside agencies. - Pace Yourself
Don’t work to the point of exhaustion as this will increase your caregiving stress level instead of decreasing it. - Set Limits (and stick to them!)
Learn to say “no” and not take on too much. This is a form of self-care. - Partner with Your Healthcare Team
Caregivers are an important part of the healthcare team. Get to know your loved one’s care team and seek their help for short and long-term plans.
When we feel disorganized, it helps to take a moment to regroup. We hope you’ll find a few of these suggestions helpful as you create patterns and rhythms that help you manage your daily responsibilities.