Being a caregiver for a loved one can be a rewarding and loving experience, but the demands may also cause emotional and physical stress, burnout, and mental and physical exhaustion. Caring for an aging or chronically ill parent, spouse, friend, or a disabled child requires unending patience, learned compassion, empathy, and being able to initiate difficult discussions without backing down.

Depending on a person’s employment situation, financial capabilities to hire help, the availability of local resources, and health insurance coverage, caregiving may require several hours a day in addition to juggling existing work and family responsibilities.

The Mayo Clinic reports that caregiver stress can put caregivers at risk of changes in their own health. Feelings of sadness, frustration, and depression sometimes begin to feel normal. And, if you get to that point, both you and the person you’re caring for suffer.

It is important to take a regular pulse of your situation and become mindful of the signs of caregiver stress because its demands can strain even the strongest person.

According to the Mayo Clinic, some of the signs of caregiver stress include feeling burdened or worrying all the time, sleeping too much or not enough, gaining or losing weight, missing your own medical appointments, isolating and losing interest in activities you used to enjoy, becoming easily irked or angry, misusing alcohol or drugs, including prescription medicines, and ignoring personal hygiene.

The Mayo Clinic offer the following tips to manage caregiver stress:

• Focus on what you can do. At times, you might feel like you're not doing enough but no one is a perfect caregiver. Believe that you're doing the best you can. Caregivers are not superhuman and some family members and friends may not understand that.
  
  
• Set goals you can reach. Break large tasks into smaller steps that you can do one at a time. Make lists of what's most important. Follow a daily routine. Say no to requests that are draining, such as hosting meals for holidays or other occasions.
  
  
• Get connected. Learn about caregiving resources in your area. There might be classes you can take. You might find caregiving services such as rides, meal delivery or house cleaning.
  
  
• Join a support group. People in support groups know what you're dealing with. They can cheer you on and help you solve problems. A support group also can be a place to make new friends.
  
  
• Seek social support. Stay connected to family and friends who support you and understand your additional responsibilities. Make time each week to visit with someone by telephone or in person, even if it's just a walk or a quick cup of coffee.
  
  
• Take care of your health. Find ways to sleep better, exercise, eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of water, and monitor alcohol intake.
  
  
• See your health care professional. Get the vaccines you need and regular health screenings. Tell your health care professional that you're a caregiver. Talk about the worries or symptoms you have.
  
  
• Ask for and accept help.
  
  
• Learn to let go of what you cannot control.
  
  
• Explore respite care options in your home or at a local facility.

The unconditional love and companionship of a pet may also help diffuse the stress in a caregiving environment. Pets do have their individual caregiving needs, but their intuitive and empathetic personalities offer love, comfort, snuggles and make us laugh and smile with their antics.  

Although caregiving can be stressful, many caregivers feel it is a personal accomplishment and one of the most rewarding experiences of their lives. It gives a person the opportunity to spend time with someone who needs you. 

When caring for a parent, it sometimes helps to remember that decades ago they helped us with bathing, dressing, feeding, and changing diapers, daily tasks many need help with now. A caregiver can return that childhood love and support with dignity and compassion.

Some caregivers find that the time spent caregiving creates a special opportunity to forge a deeper bond with their parent. Reminiscing over family photos, holiday traditions and anecdotes can be priceless. Maybe there are regrets and conflicts that need to be finally resolved. These conversations could help lead to closure and a more peaceful and intimate ending in the caregiving journey.