Staying Healthy as a Caregiver

Woman caregiving for man in a wheelchair

How to Stay Healthy Mentally and Physically When You're a Caregiver

Taking care of others can be hard on your own health. In fact, 17 to 25 percent of caregivers say their health is fair or poor, according to the Family Caregiver Alliance. That statistic isn't surprising. Whether you're caring for young children or elderly relatives, caregiving is a demanding, stressful job. Following these tips will help you avoid injuries and health issues while also reducing stress in your life.

Stay Active

Lack of exercise is a common issue among caregivers. At the end of a long day, it can be hard to find the energy to work out. Yet, inactivity can increase your risk of developing a variety of health problems, including:

  • Obesity
  • High Blood Pressure
  • High Cholesterol
  • Type 2 Diabetes
  • Heart Disease
  • Heart Attack
  • Stroke
  • Osteoporosis
  • Depression
  • Colon, Breast or Uterine Cancer

Exercise offers a simple way to reduce your risk of developing these diseases and conditions. Even 10 or 15-minute exercise sessions can help you stay healthy. You don't have to visit a gym or even leave the house to enjoy the benefits of exercise. Walking up and down the steps repeatedly, exercising to a video or jogging in place will get your blood flowing and help keep your heart, muscles, and bones strong.

Don't Neglect Your Interests

You may have given up your favorite hobbies and leisure activities after you began caring for a friend or family member. Although your dedication is certainly commendable, you may soon feel depressed or stressed if your life only involves caregiving.

Find time to watch a favorite TV show, try the new restaurant in town or finish your woodworking project. If the person you care for requires 24-hour supervision, ask a friend to take over for you for a few hours or find out if home health agencies in your area offer respite care.

Make Your Health a Priority

You can't take care of other people if you're sick. Has your diet suffered since you became a caregiver? Eating a balanced diet is a crucial factor in good health. Make sure your meals include options from the major food groups and avoid carbohydrate-laden or sugary snacks.

Make (and keep) appointments with your doctor when you don't feel well. The longer you put off receiving medical care, the worse your illness or condition can become. Visiting your doctor promptly will help you ensure that you're well enough to care for your family member or friend.

Use Safe Lifting Techniques

Poor lifting techniques can cause injuries that make it difficult or impossible to care for your relative. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 17 percent of caregivers reported that they experienced 14 or more physically unhealthy days over a month's time span.

Lifting with your legs while keeping your neck and head aligned can help you avoid injury, as can using a lifting belt to help transfer a person from a wheelchair or bed. No matter how cautiously you move, injuries can still happen. Don't be reluctant to ask for help if you don't think you can move the person safely.

See Your Chiropractor

It's not unusual for caregivers to develop stiffness and pain, particularly in their necks and backs. Ignoring your symptoms may worsen pain and decrease your range of motion.

Regular visits to your chiropractor help you reduce pain and other symptoms. Using spinal manipulation, soft tissue mobilization, massage, and other techniques, your chiropractor can realign your spine, decrease muscle stiffness and pain, and speed healing of injured areas by increasing blood flow.

Both you and your family member or friend benefit when you take care of yourself. If caregiving is taking a toll on your body, we can help. Contact us to schedule your chiropractic appointment.

Sources:

American Heart Association: Top 10 Caregiver Tips for Staying Healthy and Active, 6/30/17

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Caregiving for Family and Friends - A Public Health Issue

Family Caregiver Alliance: Caregiver Statistics: Health, Technology and Caregiving Resources

Medline Plus: Health Risks of an Inactive Lifestyle

Exclusive Offer

New Patients Receive a Free Consultation

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

8:45 am - 12:00 pm

2:00 pm - 5:30 pm

Tuesday:

Closed

Closed

Wednesday:

8:45 am - 12:00 pm

2:00 pm - 5:30 pm

Thursday:

Closed

Closed

Friday:

8:45 am- 12:00 pm

2:00 pm- 5:30 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Closed

Location

Find us on the map

Testimonials

Reviews By Our Satisfied Patients

  • "So Glad I found Synaptic! This is the fastest I've ever bounced back from severe back pain."
    Dani St. Jean Baldwinville, MA
  • "Best chiropractor ever!! These guys are amazing. They have done wonders for me. I recommend them to everyone I know"
    -Robin Potter Hicks
  • "I came to Dr Mexico with severe neuropathy of my feet caused by cancer treatment drugs. I was told I had permanent nerve damage and there was nothing they could do except give me Gabapentin oxycodone and morphine sulfate. I've been in this program for about a month-and-a-half now and I just stopped taking the morphine sulfate. My pain level has gone from a 3 while on drugs to a 2 while now only taking oxycodone and Gabapentin and now totally off the morphine sulfate. And I still have a month and a half to go on his treatment looking forward to coming off more drugs."
    -Richard Joseph Donati
  • "Five Stars on Google"
    Matt Durfee
  • "Great friendly people."
    -Michelle Sirois
  • "Can't recommend this practice highly enough. I wasted years on failed PT treatments, xrays, ultrasound and cortisone shots, relying on unhelpful advice from various doctors. I couldn't even get a consistent diagnosis. I finally have a drug-free, healthy approach for living with chronic SI joint problems. I wish I had met Dr. Mexico earlier. It would have saved me years of pain and frustration. And they always work to get you in immediately if you are having problems. I woke up this morning unable to breathe without discomfort, and they got me in today. And I will sleep tonight comfortably because of Dr. Mexico. Don't wait another day if you are experiencing back or joint pain. You deserve to live pain free. I have found tremendous, life-changing relief with this chiropractor. Thank you Dr. Mexico for your consistent focus and effort in healing others."
    -Cathy Hand Cunningham
  • "I have been dealing with LBP for 3+ years now. I have seen many Dr's and specialist for my issue. No one has listened until I saw Dr. Mexico! He was the first to actually look at my MRI results and listen to me, he explained everything in detail and made sure i understood. Its going to take awhile before I'm "fixed" but I have to say I haven't felt this good in years. Thank you Dr. Mexico"
    -Sarah Frediani
  • "I would recommend Todd Mexico, he is very considerate, respectful as well as informative. Willing to research your individual issues and provide relief if possible. He helped me!"
    -Liz Taylor
  • "I called Monday morning in a lot of pain after being up the last four nights in pain. They got me right in and I am feeling so much better! Dr. Mexico is a Miracle worker!"
    -Jody Winters
  • "There is no better. An amazing team. If it were not for Dr. Mexico and his treatment, I would still have chronic pain in my neck and back. Thank you!"
    -Cheryl Jordan-Bobick

Featured Articles

Read about interesting topics

NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

Sign up for more articles