5 Summer Self-Care Tips for Caregivers on the Go

Summer in Frederick, MD, is ideal for exciting caregiving activities such as vacations and trips. However, the heat can make the activities uncomfortable.

Preparing for the trips will ensure the caregiver is comfortable, leading to better care and companionship of their older patients.

Here are five self-care tips for caregivers as they travel.

Take Care of Physical Health

Whether taking a walk or doing cardio, exercising will help caregivers relieve stress and increase their blood flow. It will also provide a bonding moment between them and the older people they care for.

Getting enough sleep will help them perform their tasks effectively too. Caregivers should also prioritize regular medical checkups. Keeping tabs on their health will help them better care for themselves and others.

Practice Mindfulness

The numerous traveling activities can affect the mind negatively, especially with the summer heat. To prevent this, caregivers should practice mindfulness to let their thoughts be still. They can practice mindfulness through habits such as guided meditation, gratitude journaling, and yoga.

Caregivers can perform breathing exercises too to keep themselves calm. They can even perform these mindfulness habits and exercises outdoors, at a beach or park, to connect with nature. Summer sunsets also provide the perfect scenery for relaxing activities that calm the mind.

Take Regular Breaks During Summer

A caregiver's schedule and to-do list should be practical to maintain a work-life balance. Neglecting important areas of life such as goals, spirituality, and intellect leads to a decline in quality of life. To avoid this, caregivers should set aside daily time for their needs.

They should also reserve some days in a month for themselves. During this period, they can request caregiving help from family members, friends, or professional caregivers. They can even fully outsource the activities on their "off days." 

Eat Balanced Diets and Stay Hydrated      

Summer heat in Frederick causes excessive loss of body water through sweating. It also causes fatigue because the body uses more energy than usual to maintain normal body temperature. Therefore, caregivers should eat foods rich in energy, like carbohydrates and fruits. They should also hydrate to compensate for the lost body water.

Caregivers should also ensure their meals are healthy and nutritious. Doing so will help them better their immune system. However, they can occasionally indulge in feel-good foods and snacks like ice cream, popsicles, and frozen yogurt. Consuming these comfort foods periodically will help them feel happy because their bodies release feel-good hormones such as dopamine.

Dress and Accessorize Appropriately

Lastly, caregivers should clothe themselves appropriately for the summer in Frederick. Their clothing should protect them from the sun while being comfy and breathable. The clothing material should be dark/bright colored and dense to absorb UV rays, thus preventing penetration to the skin. It should also be loose fitting and cover more skin.

Accessories like polarized sunglasses and wide brim sun hats will come in handy too. They will protect the face and eyes from excessive UV rays. Caregivers should also consider sunscreen or sunblock to protect their exposed skin.

With the self-care tips above, caregivers can enhance their quality of life, prevent burnout, and maintain good health.