Five Easy Ways to Be a Little More Active as a Caregiver

Being more physically active as a caregiver has a lot of benefits for you, both physically and on other levels. You may find it’s a lot easier to manage stress if you’re consciously moving more, and that can be really important.

Caregiver Wyckoff NJ - Five Easy Ways to Be a Little More Active as a Caregiver

Caregiver Wyckoff NJ – Five Easy Ways to Be a Little More Active as a Caregiver

Make Sure You Talk to Your Doctor

Just like with your elderly family member and increasing her activity levels, you need to talk to your own doctor first. This is especially true if you’ve been lax about taking care of your own health. Your doctor is going to be able to help you to figure out the right amount and type of exercise for you. You don’t have to be elaborate or complicated about your plans. It’s enough to just know where to start.

Schedule Time for You

If you’re like the average caregiver, stuff doesn’t get done if it isn’t on “the list.” That includes the things that you need to do for yourself. One of the techniques that can help is for you to schedule time for yourself to exercise in your daily schedule. You can make this as simple as blocking out 15 minutes just for you to be active in. When this time is literally on your schedule, you’re more likely to take it seriously.

Stretches Are an Easy Way to Get Started

As you start to get more active, one of the first things you might notice is that you feel a little stiffer than you expect. Stretches are a really easy way for you to become more active and for you to limber up your muscles and joints to progress into even more activity. There doesn’t have to be a time frame for that, either.

Walking Is about the Easiest Exercise Ever

If you want to add something along with the stretching or you’re already ready to be more active, walking is about the easiest thing you can do. Whether you’re walking on a treadmill or around the block, this type of exercise works all of your major muscle groups and gets your heart rate up. That’s what you’re going to want for best results.

Pay Attention to What Your Body’s Telling You

Being more active makes some changes for you and for your body. You’re going to want to pay attention to what your body is telling you. Whether it’s telling you to take things a little easier or that what you’re doing is helping, honor those messages. The object here isn’t to hurt yourself or to place strain on yourself. It’s simply to start moving a bit more.

Building a routine with movement is going to be really important for you.

If you or a senior family member are considering hiring Caregiver Services in Wyckoff NJ, please contact the caring staff at Caring Solutions Home Care LLC. In-home senior care servicing Bergen & Passaic Counties. Call today at (973) 427-3553.

Pamela DelColle, RN, CCRN