Is Sleep Important?
It’s easy as a caregiver to put yourself last on the list for eating, health, relaxing and mostly, sleeping.
However cutting back on your own slumber time is not helping you, your aging loved ones, spouse or children.
Adults typically need six to nine hours of sleep each night.
Impossible you say? Think again.
5 Reasons Adequate Sleep is Imperative to your Health and Overall Well-Being and Preventing Caregiver Fatigue
- Productivity. When you get less sleep, your mood, energy, effectiveness and your ability to handle stress declines.
- Stress. According to caregiver.com, caregiver stress in the most common problem family caregivers face. And it can greatly increase if you aren’t getting enough zzzzz’s.
- Illness. Lack of sleep puts you at an increased risk of illness. When your body is fatigued, your immune system can become compromised.
- Emotional distress. It’s not just your physical health you need to be concerned with. Lack of sleep can lead to mental distress, memory loss, and depression.
- Over-eating. They don’t call it comfort food for no reason. A decrease in sleep time can trigger cravings for unhealthy food to help fill the void.
Increase your shut-eye time by trying these tips:
- Create structure. Set a schedule for you and the loved ones you are caring for, and stick to that schedule. Including setting the same daily bedtime and rise time.
- Exercise. Get some form of exercise throughout the day. Try some gentle stretching exercises right before bed.
- Limit caffeine. Drinking caffeinated drinks can cause hyperactivity and insomnia, so avoid them after late afternoon and bedtime.
- Relax. Try yoga or mediation or other relaxation techniques to help you unwind at the end of the day.
- Say no to electronic stimulation. Avoid watching television in bed or staring at other electronic devices like computers and e-reader.
Your Next Move can help you locate the perfect senior housing for your aging loved one. Our team of relocation specialists are also with you through every step of the transition process including home sale, downsizing, estate sales and moving household goods.
This blog post is brought to you by the team at Your Next Move. If you are interested in further information you may contact us below. LIKE us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to get the most current communication on the subject of senior relocation. Please join our mailing list.
Your Next Move, Easing Your Senior Transition
Julie Kopetsky, President
919-601-8203
Julie.kopetsky@yournextmovenc.com