How to Deal with Being an Empty Nester ​The term 'empty nest' itself connotes loss. In truth, however, many people find that as their children leave home, they are ushered into an interesting new stage of life. It also appears that the definite, linear transition of 'leaving home' is not as clear cut as it used to be. Many young people, in their late teens and all through their twenties, are returning to their parents' home for periods of time; the phenomenon even has a name- 'boomerang kids'. As you redefine your home life without a primary focus on children, the old, familiar routines may no longer fit your life; it is probably time to rethink the household structure and division of labour, or to embark on a new arrangement. Trying new things also means letting go of parts of the past. One of the tasks of mid-life is evaluating the 'progress', the accomplishments, made to date -- thus the famous mid-life crisis. Accepting the mistakes you may feel you have made in family life is a painful process, but, if you can let this go, you may find you have new-found energy with which to focus on the future. Assuming that you are ready to reinvigorate your life, before you jump into change, take time to consider. Give yourself a chance to adjust to this major transition before you make any significant decisions. Partners who have raised children together will likely experience a major shift in their daily activities and in their relationship when children leave home. While is it fine to pursue your separate passions and interests, you will probably also wish to find activities that you and your partner enjoy together, to give your relationship new strength and depth. For those who have been single parents, the departure of children will likely represent a very significant change. It may mean rethinking your living arrangements entirely.

We are constantly reminded of how we “should” feel about the Holidays. We see images of happy shoppers, excited children, families and friends getting together, laughing, & sharing Holiday cheer. Festive lights, wrapped presents under decorated Xmas trees, popcorn and classic movies, holiday parties all remind us that this is the time of year to feel happy and joyous. And yet, along with the glitz and glamour, the romance and fan fair, the Holiday Season is one of the most stressful times of the year. Facing long days and weeks at work leading up to the Holiday break, you’re not immune to the challenges the Holidays bring. Increased social and family obligations, financial pressures, feelings of loss or loneliness, unrealistic expectations create the perfect storm to feel stressed, depressed, anxious, overwhelmed, and physically exhausted. If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. Amidst all the challenges there are things you can do to ease the stress when you feel like you are colliding with the Holidays. Here are 5 top tips and questions to support you in your journey to be well during the Holidays: 1. Manage Your Expectations: Be realistic about what you can and can’t do given your schedule and the demands at work. Let go of what you “should” do, think and feel about the Holidays. If you’re a perfectionist, this is key. It’s unrealistic to think that the Holidays need to be perfect. Realistically, how much time and energy do you have to spend on preparing for the Holidays? Don’t commit to activities or tasks you don’t think you can accomplish. 2. Acknowledge Your Feelings: If you’re not used to listening to your feelings this top tip is important. When we stuff our feelings and ignore these important signals, we’re eventually made to pay attention. Is your anger sharper than you’d like? Are you crying or raising your voice more often and more easily these days? Are you withdrawing or acting out more? How’s your body feeling? It’s important to pay attention and acknowledge how you feel. Talk with a friend, share with your family and let your partner know how it’s going for you right now. Check-in with your colleagues to let them know how you are feeling and how they can support you. 3. Get Support: There’s no shame in getting support for the way you feel. In fact, acknowledging that you need support and seeking it out is an act of courage. Everyone benefits when we take responsibility for our stress, depression, anxiety and addictions. Continue to go to counselling if you are already going, get to your support group meetings regularly over the Holidays, suggest alternative options to partying or activities that put you at risk for spiralling downwards, and don’t hesitate to reach out for support when you need it. 4. Take Control of Your Budget: Are you stressed about money? Have you created a budget for the Holidays? Do you worry about not being able to give your family the gifts they’ve added to Santa’s list? Are you going into the Holidays and the New Year with debt or no clue about your financial situation? It’s never too late to take stock and get help. Knowledge is power! Take some time to figure out how much money you have to spend during the Holidays. Then, make a commitment to stick within your budget. Financial and credit counselling is available through your EAP. Make it a New Years resolution to get your finances under control. 5. Balance and Self-Care: We often use the Holidays as an excuse to overindulge and overdo it. Not only do we tend to eat and drink/drug too much, but we let exercise, meditation, alone time, sleep and quality time with loved ones fall by the wayside. Overindulgence feels like freedom when we’ve spent so much time and energy working. Truthfully, overdoing it with food, alcohol/drugs, and parties takes a toll on our bodies, minds and often our relationships. How do you want to feel when you go back to work in the New Year? Make healthy meals, get outside and walk, keep your exercise routine going, catch up on much needed sleep, find activities that have less of a focus on drinking/drugging, make the most of the time you have with your partner, family, & friends. Download a meditation app (see link below) to get you started on managing your mind and learning to relax. We hope these tips and questions will get you thinking about how you can take control of the Holidays instead of letting the Holidays control you! More than anything, we want you to know there’s help and support available. Don’t let the Holidays and Stress collide this year! Counselling and crisis support are available through your EFAP and we’ve included some recommended Apps to help you manage stress & anxiety, help you meditate, breathe, change negative thoughts to positive ones and generally feel more in control. https://adaa.org/finding-help/mobile-apps Your EAP is available 24/7/365.

What are Some Tips to Think about When Preparing for Retirement? Retirement is a luxury our great-great-grandparents never dreamed of. Around the turn of the century, the average life expectancy was 47. People quit working only when they were too ill to keep going. Retirement for them signalled the end of life, not merely the end of working life. Today, 70 percent of people will celebrate a 65th birthday, and the fastest-growing part of the population is comprised of those 85 and older. People spend more years in retirement than they do in childhood and adolescence combined. The challenge now is to spend these years in the most satisfying and fulfilling way. Some people picture retirement as a time to slow down, to be less busy, whereas others see it as a time for increased activity. As with any major life change, retirement brings its share of mental and emotional adjustments. Depending on how you deal with it, retirement can be an exciting time filled with new opportunities and challenges or a painful transition that results in boredom, lack of purpose and discouragement. Research has shown that people who stay busy with hobbies, active social lives or even part-time work, live longer and feel a lot better than those who camp out on the sofa. PLANNING YOUR RETIREMENT Retirement will be a time for some honest self-examination. Before making specific plans about your post-retirement life, gather information and do some 'big picture' thinking. Examine your own purposes in retiring. Why are you doing this? What are your dreams? Collect ideas and facts from friends or relatives who have already retired, or read about the subject in books, articles, or on-line. You will need to sift and organize this information to evaluate what is relevant to you. Look for general principles and advice that seem realistic. Consult with your spouse or partner and others who will depend on you or support you. Consider your financial realities. What savings do you have? pension plan? other income? How will your financial resources last over time? MAKING THE PLAN As you get into the specifics of your plan, these are some things to consider: Location Where will you live? What do you want in terms of climate, lifestyle, housing, proximity to family or friends? Financial Plan Develop a financial plan that will take into account your new needs and/or economies. For most people, the mere fact of leaving work does not change their expenditures much, apart from transportation and wardrobe costs. What can make a big difference is selling a house or opting out of an expensive lifestyle that includes entertaining club memberships, or travel. As income, take into account your pensions (including C.P.P. and government old-age pensions), any investment or interest income, and R.R.S.P.s. Estimates of expenditures should take income tax changes into account, and include strategies for minimizing tax and claw-backs. An accountant or financial planner can provide you with information that will help. Working Will you continue to work in some capacity? A growing number of people are not fully retiring at 65. Rather, they retire from a 40-hour workweek to a shorter schedule. Retired bankers and accountants, for example, find themselves in huge demand at tax time. They probably wouldn't dream of going back to the daily grind, but they enjoy using their skills - as long as they can do it on their own terms. Your decision about work may depend partly on financial needs (see item above). Do you need and prefer to work for some income, and would you want this to be part-time, or as a consultant, or in some entirely new venture? If income is not essential, there are many interesting volunteer opportunities available. Activities Consider the variety of different activities that you could pursue and make some tentative choices. Some of your choices should be based on your passions, and some on the knowledge that certain activities will be 'good for you', promoting long-term health and well-being (such as physical and social activities). Physical activities Some people enjoy active pursuits such as golf, hiking, skiing, swimming, gardening, etc. already and plan to increase these activities once they have the time. Others will have to make a point of involving themselves in something new. Seniors' Centres and community centres provide a wide range of options for physical activity for older adults-- exercise classes, dancing, yoga, Tai Chi, and aquatic exercises, to name a few. They may also offer classes for people dealing with specific health challenges, such as osteoporosis, arthritis, heart disease and breast cancer. Social activities Staying involved in relationships with other people is often cited as a major determiner of well-being in older adults. Most people benefit from having a variety of relationships and social activities, from those involving partners and close family to friendship networks to community groups. Special Interests Even before retirement, many of us have special interests or hobbies that we enjoy-- things like photography, travel, painting, bird-watching or gourmet cooking. Extra time for such interests should certainly be part of retirement planning. For other people, it may be time to try out something you have always thought you would enjoy or something you used to do years ago. Intellectual/Mental Activities Engaging in some mental activities, such as reading the newspaper or doing crossword puzzles, seems to be beneficial in keeping your faculties sharp. Beyond this, many people enjoy learning new information or ideas or engaging in intellectual activities. Reading, joining a book club or discussion group, attending community lectures, or taking courses in an unfamiliar subject can broaden your interests and intellect. Artistic or Creative Activities Many people already engage in artistic or creative pursuits-- painting, singing, woodworking, sewing, or playing a musical instrument-- before they retire. Others wished they had the time to learn. For some, these pursuits become the focal point of their lives after retirement. Meditative or Spiritual Activities Activities that encourage meditation or an altered sense of awareness include yoga, listening to music, relaxation exercises and experiences of solitude and/or natural beauty. For many people, this is a way to reduce stress, reach a state of calmness and replenish their spiritual reserves. Others are spiritually nourished in a faith community, where they can participate with others. Contribution Activities Studies that address the hierarchy of human needs suggest that most people are happier if they are involved in and contributing to 'something bigger than themselves'. Knowing that we are adding something to our neighbourhood, an organization, our country, our world, or some worthwhile cause we believe in can increase our sense of self-worth and well-being. Retirees especially may feel ready to 'give something back' or to leave a legacy for future generations. Schedule and Revise Consider a tentative weekly or monthly schedule of activities. Remember that you will need some balance in your week. Now you are ready to adjust your plans as you assess how things are going, while staying open to new ideas and opportunities. IDENTIFYING AND COMPENSATING FOR LOSSES Satisfaction of exercising competence and expertise: People in difficult, demanding jobs are often gaining a great deal of fulfillment from their demonstrated ability to perform complex tasks that display knowledge, experience and competence. It may be difficult to duplicate this sense of satisfaction once you have left the job, but creative thinking about the problem can probably help you find alternatives. Can you consult or advise others, teach a course, or apply your skills to a volunteer organization? Relationships: The workplace is where adults tend to make most of their friends. Nearly all retirees initially find themselves missing the social connections at work and struggling to find replacements. Loneliness is among the leading causes of depression in older adults and making new social relationships is a primary task of retirement. Most people benefit from having a network of different relationships. With the loss of companionships at work, some people try to fill the void by suddenly shifting to over-dependence on one or two personal relationships (with a spouse, partner or adult child) after they retire. Consider the roles that different types of relationships play in your life. After retirement, what will your needs be? Intimate relationships: Whether this is a sexual relationship, with a spouse or partner, or a friendship or family relationship, most people desire a close, intimate connection with another person who will share their life. Socially focused relationships: These have the primary purpose of enjoying and sharing social occasions together -- holidays, dinners, movies, parties, sports, dances, or evenings of conversation. Such relationships may involve family members, friends, work colleagues, or fellow members of community or faith organizations. Team relationships: Some relationships are focused on working together to accomplish a goal. Without the task to address, such relationships would be aimless and diminished. The workplace often includes such relationships, and it may be the sense of team accomplishment that people miss most after retirement. Mentoring/Nurturing relationships: By the time people retire, they have probably taken on the role of mentor or 'teacher' to younger colleagues. There are usually some opportunities within the family or community to form this kind of relationship with younger people, to help them learn from your lifetime of experience. If this is a type of relationship that you find fulfilling, you may need to search out such opportunities.

Some Important Things for Divorcing Parents to Remember However much parents wish to protect their children from the impact of marriage break-down, some fall-out is inevitable and needs to be considered. For the adolescent, the good news is that they are more mature and much better able to understand than younger children how a relationship can go wrong. The bad news is that they are often idealistic and very critical of human frailties (especially those of parents); they may also appear self-involved and indifferent at times. In spite of appearances, you can be sure they are being significantly affected by their parents' behaviour, and every attempt should be made to discuss important issues with them. If at all possible, try to engage your ex-partner in cooperation where the children's needs are concerned. Be careful how you express your own anger or hurt, and avoid statements of blame and fault. You are modelling for your adolescent the appropriate approach to serious interpersonal challenges; the feelings you expose may end up back on your doorstep. Your adolescent will probably miss your ex-partner. This is no reflection on your ability to care for your children, or on their love for you. They need to sort out their feelings for the other parent free of your influence. Avoid competing with your ex-partner for their love and approval. Do not attempt to hide the truth, but details, especially acrimonious ones, are not necessary. Generally, an amicable divorce will significantly decrease the negative impact on children. Reassure your adolescent that nothing they did caused the divorce, and respect their expression of sadness and anger without blaming. It is natural and normal to feel that you occasionally want a break from your children and their needs. Make sure they understand the difference between your present state of emotional fatigue, and abandonment or lack of love. It can make the adjustments much easier for them if there is another caring adult available to devote time and attention to the family's functioning when you are preoccupied. Your adolescent should not be accorded the ultimate responsibility of decisions about custody, however, they will certainly want to be heard and considered. Protect your kids from any on-going legal battles. Confide in someone else. Your teenager needs the reassurance and security of discipline now more than ever. It is ideal if you and your ex-partner can coordinate rules and limits together. Try hard to involve your ex-partner in mutually cooperative child-rearing arrangements. It will make an enormous difference to your children. Do not turn your adolescent into a substitute for your partner. The temptation to seek solace will probably arise, but putting a teen in such a role is inappropriate and should be avoided.

What is Involved in Redefining Your Values and Priorities?​ Midlife is a time of re-evaluation. Your priorities naturally shift as you approach retirement or as your children grow up or when your parents die. It's a time to revisit what is most important to you and who you are becoming. The following quiz is designed to help you reflect on these changes. Complete the following sentences: Most days I feel ... I am happy when... I dislike it when others... I like people who are... If I could I would... What I want most in life is... If I could live my life again I would... I have fun when... If I could change my life I would... I especially feel good about myself when... Now take a moment to examine what insights you have gained about yourself. The next step is to set some goals and develop a plan to reach your goals. The following are some ways to access what you really want and need and get moving on your ideas. List seven things you've always wanted to do - things that make you feel fulfilled when you do them and that you haven't done in the last several months. Besides each of these seven things, note what stops you from doing it - something either inside (such as feelings) or outside (someone or something, such as lack of money) that keeps you from it. Take two or three things on your list that hold the most joy for you, and think of one step you can take toward each to bring it into your life. Mark your calendar with a date and a time that you will bring each of these activities into your life. Thousands of personal growth courses and books address how to know yourself better and get motivated to be all you can be. Personal coaches also specialize in helping you achieve your goals.

How to Deal With the Loss of Someone Close to You ​ A significant issue of mid-life is dealing with the death of a parent, or some other significant person in your life. The loss of someone that we have relied on is the ultimate experience of change. Generally, in today's culture, people have not had much preparation for dealing with the feelings related to profound loss. The following are some tips that others have found helpful in such a difficult time. For more information about the stages of loss read Death and Dying by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross. Do's Give yourself permission to grieve in your own way, taking your own time. Realize that the grieving process will probably seem to come and go in waves. Sort out the different problems associated with the loss and respond to those that are more easily remedied. Consider whether the societal idea of letting go and moving on is right for you. Allow yourself to continue the relationship with your loved one in your heart and mind if it suits you to do so. Allow yourself to talk about your loved one and encourage those around you to do so if you find this helpful. Draw on relationships with friends and family. Consider joining support groups of people going through similar experiences. Turn to God or spirituality in any way that you find meaningful. Create or continue whatever rituals of relationship that you would find sustaining, such as talking to your loved one or celebrating your anniversary or their birthday. Feel free to enjoy your memories and keep them part of your experience. Try taking on interests and activities of your loved one. You may feel closer to them by carrying on something that they would be doing if they were still alive. Don'ts Assume that there is a right way of responding to your love one's death. Allow yourself to be pushed to move on or to be finished grieving. Be silenced about your loved one if you find it meaningful to talk about him or her.

From the Centre for Clinical Interventions--Self-Help Resources for Mental Health Problems "Self-compassion involves being aware of our own pain and suffering, and understanding that this is a hard, but normal human experience.  Directing feelings of kindness and care towards ourselves, and focusing our attention and energy on how we might alleviate our pain, are also crucial components of self-compassion. Self-compassion can bring great benefits for our mental health and well-being.  Particularly, self-compassion can activate our soothe system, which calms the threat and drive systems.  Our threat and drive systems tend to be overactive for many of us much of the time, and responsible for the difficult emotions we may be struggling with (e.g., anxiety, anger, depression). The opposite of self-compassion is self-criticism.  This very negative thinking style often links to difficult emotions and mental health problems.  Those who are highly self-critical particularly need to develop the ability to relate to themselves in a compassionate way." This e-course is designed to provide you with helpful information about the importance of self-compassion and strategies (based on a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) approach) for how you can build a self-compassion and manage the difficult emotions and self-criticism that can get in the way of our well-being. It includes access: the Building Self-Compassion Workbook (Modules 1 - 7), and a information sheet on Self-Compassion. Link to resource: https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking-After-Yourself/Self-Compassion

With medical breakthroughs and improvements in the standard of living, people in Canada are living longer and healthier lives. Today's 'average' senior (person over 65) lives at home, is generally healthy, reasonably comfortable financially, and has an active lifestyle, according to Statistics Canada. Despite this rosy picture, some changes occur inevitably as an elderly person passes the age of the 'average' senior, into 'old age'. The degree and nature of these changes will vary considerably from person to person, but no one is entirely immune. Many of the elderly experience limited abilities in one or more of the following areas: mobility, i.e. getting around the house or neighbourhood driving skills memory or mental awareness ability to manage their finances maintaining their personal hygiene As friends or adult children notice these changes in their elderly loved one, the role of caregiver inevitably shifts onto them. Many people feel perplexed and uneasy about the responsibilities involved in this change of role or relationship. Knowing when to get help It's not always easy to recognize when an older loved one needs help. We all want to support their desire to continue to live independently, even when we have concerns about their safety and well-being. But how do we know when it is time to intervene? Fortunately, there are good assessment tools and professional consultants available to the elderly and their family members to help decide when assistance is necessary. An assessment is a comprehensive review of a person's mental, physical, environmental and financial condition to establish his or her ability to remain safely independent. It identifies risks and helps determine options to reduce these risks. While it is possible for families to complete assessments on their own, using standard forms, there are also experienced professionals who can help. Involving a neutral and well-informed third party is often a very useful step in the process. For many families, the first step is to involve a doctor or health professional, preferably one who is known and trusted by the elder person. With medical recommendations in place, your local public health care team or agency for seniors can then guide you to organizations and professionals who will be able to assist you. In many cases, the most difficult part of the process is deciding that the time has come to seek help, and enlisting everyone's cooperation. The elderly person may not be aware of, or ready to acknowledge, a need for assistance. Although different assessment forms and professionals will offer slight variations, here are some basic areas you will want to consider: Physical Health Has your elderly loved one been diagnosed with any chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis or emphysema, bowel or bladder problems, heart disease, stroke or cancer? Does he or she have vision or hearing problems, or difficulty walking? Be sure to gather a list of health professionals involved in their care and details of any recent hospitalizations. Mental Health Has the elderly person been diagnosed with any psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, psychosis, Alzheimer's or any other form of dementia? Are they presently showing signs of confusion, disorientation or depression? Medication Use What medications are currently prescribed for them, and what is the dosage? Are they taking their medication reliably and as directed? Daily Living Skills Are they able to dress, bathe, use a toilet, climb stairs, and use the phone? Can they shop, prepare meals, do housework and yard work? Can they drive safely? Home and Community Safety How safe is their neighbourhood? Does their home have smoke alarms that they can hear? Can they avoid telephone and door-to-door fraud? Support Systems Does your elderly loved one have regular visitors or contact with friends? Do they go to a Seniors' Center, or leave the house for other social reasons? Do friends or family members live close by? Who can they call in an emergency? Appearance and Hygiene How is their overall appearance? Do they dress appropriately in clean clothes? Finances Can they live on their current income? Have they arranged for necessary legal documents such as trusts, living wills, and/or durable powers of attorney? Do they pay bills on time and make informed financial decisions? Interests/Lifestyles Do they engage in their favourite hobbies, read books, watch their favourite TV shows, exercise, stay connected with their friends? Are they still engaged in the activities they have always enjoyed? Developing a care plan Developing a care plan starts with involving your elderly relative or friend in the discussion as much as possible. First, consult a health care professional (such as a doctor, nurse or occupational therapist) to complete an assessment of areas where your elder may be at risk, and to advise you about the options available. The most common forms of support needed are: personal contact and emotional support through visits, phone or email help with errands, appointments and household maintenance financial contributions help to arrange for and coordinating services provided by professionals​ Next, ask yourself whether you are physically, mentally and financially able to give the care yourself, or if you are more comfortable arranging for care to be delivered by someone else. A comprehensive plan is based on the needs and abilities of everyone involved. Remember that your elderly loved one may be anxious about what lies in the future, so be gentle and supportive as you move through this planning process. Don't be surprised if there is resistance to these discussions. You may need the help of some other trusted person(s) to keep the process on track.

From the Centre for Clinical Interventions--Self-Help Resources for Mental Health Problems "Depression is considered to be a disorder of mood. Individuals who are depressed, describe low mood that has persisted for longer than two weeks. In mild forms of depression, individuals may not feel bad all day but still describe a dismal outlook and a sense of gloom. Their mood may lift with a positive experience, but fall again with even a minor disappointment. In severe depression, a low mood will persist throughout the day, failing to lift even when pleasant things occur.  The low mood may fluctuate during the day such that it may be worse in the morning and relatively better in the afternoon. This is called ‘diurnal variation,’ which often accompanies a more severe type of depression." This online e-course is designed to provide you with helpful information about depression and suggested strategies (based on a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) approach) for how you can manage your mood. It includes access to: the Back from the Bluez Workbook (Modules 1 - 9), 15 downloadable information sheets on Depression, and 12 downloadable worksheets on Depression. Link to resource: https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/looking-after-yourself/depression

Home Caregivers and Motivation Caregivers are spouses, relatives, or friends who provide daily care for persons who have physical or mental health problems. As a caregiver, you will care for people with all kinds of diseases and disabilities. Caregivers are special. While caregiving can be satisfying, it can also be stressful and demanding. Caregivers take on the task because they love the patient, are the only person who can help, or because they feel obligated. Caregiver Stresses There are many stresses you face as a caregiver. These include giving comfort, overcoming physical challenges, and being “on the job” 24 hours a day. Caregiving is physically and emotionally exhausting. There are many caregiving activities, including giving injections and medications, providing support to the medical team, and assisting with toileting, bathing, dressing, and feeding. You may be responsible for cooking, doctors’ appointments, and even maintaining the home. Because of the workload, stress and burnout are serious problems. What Caregivers Must Understand A caregiver must understand that his or her mental and physical needs are inseparable. Stress affects your physical health. You need emotional support and periodic relief from your responsibilities. Support for Caregivers Family and friends are crucial sources of help. The first step is to tell friends and family that help is needed. Keep a list of errands and needed services. When someone offers to help, give a specific, time-limited task. This is more effective than asking someone to “stop by” when they have a moment. Call to request support from a religious or support group or local service agency. Some sources of support: Health and Home Care Society of BC- www.carebc.ca: Offers programs such as Meals on Wheels, The Family Respite Centre, Community Integration and Health Promotion Services. When a Caregiver Needs Help If you experience crying, sleeplessness, moodiness, anger, medical problems, resentment, or depression, you need help. These symptoms call for more assistance, respite, and help from a professional counselor. What Works? Adult day programs or respite care, suggestions from an occupational therapist, household help, and help with doctor’s appointments make caregiving less stressful. When the patient attends an adult day program or stays with a respite caregiver, you get relief from responsibilities. An occupational therapist can ease physical demands on you by suggesting home adaptations, such as lifts, grab bars, ramps, wheelchairs, etc. Household help reduces the workload. If friends take the patient to doctors’ appointments, you’ll be able to get some rest or personal time. You must take care of your physical health. It’s important to get seven hours of sleep a night, eat a balanced diet, and exercise. What Doesn’t Work What doesn’t work is trying to do everything without help! This leads to burnout. The best way to avoid burnout is to get practical and emotional support. Ask for help! Tips for Managing Stress Draw on the resources and help of friends, family, and the community. Continue enjoyable activities. Become knowledgeable about the patient, resources, and the illness. Take care of your own health. Get recommendations from doctors and therapists regarding treatments, medications, and home adaptations. Develop awareness of emotions and needs; join a support group. Consult a therapist. Seek guidance of mental health professionals who specialize in caregiver stress. It is a growing field. Caring for a loved one can be satisfying; it can also be stressful. Follow these recommendations to manage and relieve your caregiver stress.