JOAN’S BLOG – FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2007 – STRESS!!!!!

What causes stress to us Caregivers of our AD spouses ? 

EVERYTHING!!!!

Temper tantrums
 

Working

Raising children and/or grandchildren and caring for our spouse

Relationship deterioration

Financial woes

Handling ALL of the household duties – cooking, cleaning, caring for spouse, paying bills, being office manager for insurance, medical bills, telephone calls …………..the list is endless
And we’re doing it ALL AT THE SAME TIME! 

A little stressed are we? So how do we relieve the stress??

Some of our readers: 

Lose our tempers – not productive

Eat chocolate – that’s me –Definitely not healthy in the amounts I eat it – not recommended. The “experts” say a LITTLE chocolate, like ONE OR TWO TINY PIECES, is good for you. Who are they kidding? I’ve never stopped at one or two pieces of chocolate in my life!

 Shop– healthy if you have no financial problems; not so good if you’re in a money vacuum.

Smoke –   - Definitely not healthy and not recommended

So what are healthy ways of relieving stress?

Exercise – I TRY to work out 3 times a week at the gym – it makes me feel good; takes away the arthritic aches and pains; and does relieve the stress for awhile. No money for a gym membership? – Take a   walk. - It’s never too early to get in shape for the Alzheimer’s Memory Walk!

Take (steal) some time for yourself and bury your head in a good book.

Vent on our message boards.

Find a hobby – One of our readers told me that designing web sites is her hobby – she should take a trip down here – I’ll have plenty for her to do.

Take a luxurious bubble bath.

Get a massage – If money is an issue (isn’t it always?), ask a friend or a grandchild to rub your shoulders and neck for ½ an hour.

My Choice for #1 Stress Reliever -  GIRL’S/GUY’S DAY OUT. Nothing makes me feel better than when I get away from the house and hubby for an afternoon out with the “girls” – particularly the ones from my support group.  We complain, laugh, give each other advice, and just have a good old time for ourselves.  You guy spouses can go fishing, golfing, or to a sports game (or whatever you guys like to do) with a few friends.

I still like that chocolate idea, but it’s putting back on all the weight I lost, and raising my blood pressure. I surely don’t need those things, especially now, so I guess I’ll have to either check myself into one of those “Celebrity Rehab. Centers” to get rid of my addiction, or just stop buying the stuff!

See your doctor if the stress becomes unmanageable. You and he/she can decide together if medication is needed.

Feedback to joan@thealzheimerspouse.com