We can’t always put a stop to all of the stresses in our lives, but it’s important to learn to recognise the signs that you are feeling stressed. This way you can identify stresses you can address before it becomes overwhelming.
Read over the list of some of the symptoms of stress below and learn to recognise when you are becoming stressed:
Physical symptoms
Psychological symptoms
Below are some suggestions for ways of managing stress. Managing your stress calls for work towards change – changing the source of the stress as well as your reaction to it.
You may not be able to significantly change the demands of your caring role, but you can look creatively at small changes which might help. For instance, you could ask friends and family to help out.
Focus on what you can do to make a difference and identify and accept the things you can’t change. Stress can sometimes be reduced by changing how you react to it.
You may be very good at mediating arguments or at switching off worries and thinking about something else. Someone else in your family may be good at finding practical solutions to problems. Build coping strategies around the strengths in your family.
Learn as much as you can about the condition of the person you are caring for and about techniques that can help you to manage your caring role better.
Good planning can help you to balance your caring responsibilities better with the rest of your life.
Try to nurture traits that are common in people who respond well to change and adversity:
Talk to your doctor if you feel that stress is affecting your health.
Carers NSW acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land, Elders past and present and all Aboriginal people.