Emotions are a truly wonderful thing, but if they’re more intense or darker than usual, they’re likely trying to help you examine something you’ve been ignoring. Figuring out what you need to pay more attention to can help to fix all sorts of issues.
You’re Grieving a Loss of Some Sort
Caregiving can be a series of losses, unfortunately. There are the losses that you might experience at the beginning, such as not making the career leaps that you wanted to make, for example. Or you may experience losses of friends that don’t understand what caregiving involves. But as caregiving progresses, you may start to anticipate the loss of your loved one. All of these losses cause you to feel grief, which you must find a way to deal with properly.
You’re Under a Lot of Stress
Stress is a regular part of life as a caregiver, but if you’re experiencing more stress than usual, that can be a signal that deeper issues are going on. You might be frustrated at not getting the amount of help that you truly need, for example, or you might be sorting through bureaucratic red tape for your loved one. No matter what it is, you have to deal with your stress proactively.
You’re Letting People Walk on You
When you allow people to take advantage of your good graces, it can manifest as all sorts of strong emotions later. There are ways for you to be assertive without being aggressive. Learning these methods can help you to navigate the tricky waters of human interaction without feeling that other people are out to get you.
You’re in Need of a Change
At some points in caregiving, you have to change how you’re handling certain things. You may need to ask other family members to pitch in more or you may need to step back from caregiving for a while. Intense emotions can be your mind’s way of having you stop and take a look at what other options are available to you and to your loved one.
If you’re having difficulty sorting through your emotions, get help from a therapist or a counselor who can help you deal with whatever might be going on.
For caregivers in Cherry Hill, NJ and the surrounding areas, call and talk to us at Home to Stay Healthcare Solutions (856) 321-1500.
