Stress occurs when we work too much, sleep too little, try to cope with difficult or troubling situations, and when we neglect to take good care of ourselves—all of which describes the typical everyday state of conditions for millions of Americans who have assumed the role of caregiver to a loved one.

If you are a family caregiver, consider the following suggestions and think about which ones you can put in place to help ease tension and minimize feelings of stress:

• Set manageable expectations and limits for yourself. Be realistic about what you can and cannot do--as well as what you want to do and donÂ’t want to do.



• Although it's difficult, try not to set yourself up for disappointment by comparing the way your relationship used to be with your loved one and the present-day circumstances. Stages in life as well as stages in relationships can be meaningful in their own way.



• Ask for and accept help! Oftentimes, people want to be useful, but may not always know what to do--let other family members and friends know what they can do to share in the responsibility of caregiving. Don't forget to consider asking people who live at a distance, as well as neighbors and people from faith-based groups or clubs, to pitch in to help.



• Maintain or establish social interaction with friends and other family members. Isolation can further increase feelings of stress. Having the chance to have fun, laugh, and focus on something other than your at-home caregiving responsibilities can help you keep stress at bay and maintain emotional balance.



• Remember that there's room for feelings such as sadness, grief and/or loneliness to be present along with other more joyful emotions. When you do feel down, avoid critical self-perceptions, and, instead, try to articulate the understanding you need from those around you. Consider seeking the help of a therapist to help you sort out your feelings and deal with your concerns and troubling issues.



• If the person you are caring for has dementia, avoid overly stimulating environments since that can add to their anxiety and end up increasing your stress level.



• Don’t abandon healthful eating and drinking habits. Avoid giving in to stress-driven urges such as overeating and/or overindulging in alcohol.



• Exercise regularly. Even if it means finding someone else to take over your caregiver duties, getting regularly-scheduled exercise--for example, walking, swimming, yoga, biking, or aerobics--can be of tremendous benefit to both your physical and emotional well-being.



• Seek emotional and moral support from other caregivers--there is great strength in knowing you are not alone. Many communities have support groups for family caregivers of elderly persons organized through local hospitals, churches and/or community centers.



• Use community resources such as meal or shopping services, home-care aides, adult day services, and/or volunteer help from faith-based organizations or civic groups.



• Try to find quiet time for yourself to do something you especially enjoy, such as reading, walking, listening to music, gardening and/or visiting with a friend.



• Find ways to ensure you get enough rest. Sleep deprivation can sap your energy, distort your thinking and cause your mind and your body to become stressed far beyond healthy limits.



• If you experience any signs of depression (for example, extreme sadness, trouble concentrating, withdrawal, or hopelessness), donÂ’t delay in getting professional help for yourself. Depression is a serious, but very treatable condition. If left untreated, depression does not "just go away," instead, the symptoms progressively worsen and can even become debilitating. You can click here for information about depression, including a more detailed list of commonly experienced symptoms and ways to receive help.

Remember to be good to yourself. As a family caregiver, you're doing a very hard--albeit rewarding--job and deserve understanding, support and quality time for yourself to help ensure you meet your own needs. Many caregivers have found that therapy offers life-strengthening help in dealing with the many challenges of caregiving. Therapy can provide a time and place that is devoted exclusively to your feelings, needs, and concerns—and can result in a healthy perspective that allows you to devote your best efforts to the loved one you are caring for, while also making sure you take the very best care of yourself.