Sometimes, people who help older adults stop taking care of themselves. They may not realize how much stress they’re under until it suddenly becomes too much.
Stress isn’t just uncomfortable. Over time, it can cause serious health problems, like depression or heart disease.
Signs of serious stress include:
- Feeling sad, tired, anxious, angry or overwhelmed
- Having trouble sleeping
- Gaining or losing weight
- Catching colds or the flu more often
- Having trouble concentrating
- Getting headaches or body aches a lot
- Not enjoying favorite activities
- Having new or worsening health problems
- Struggling with everyday tasks or problems
- Avoiding friends and family
- Being very impatient or irritable with others
People who have signs of serious stress can make changes to avoid burning out. They can:
- Figure out what’s making their stress worse
- Get help to stay within their healthy limits
- Take a little time each day to do something relaxing
- Eat healthy meals, get enough sleep and exercise regularly, to increase their ability to deal with stress
