When your days are filled with a list of caregiving responsibilities, it can be difficult to find time to exercise. However, keeping the following benefits of daily exercise in mind may help you squeeze in a workout.
1. Prevent Depression and Anxiety
Exercise stimulates the body to release endorphins that promote a happier mindset. These endorphins stick around for hours after your workout and lower feelings of depression. Engaging in physical activity also takes your mind off of your worries temporarily so you feel more capable of handling issues when they arise.
Caring for a senior loved one can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Edmonton Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
2. Avoid Caregiving-Related Injuries
During a normal day as a caregiver, your body endures tremendous amounts of stress. For instance, you may need to lift your loved one, which puts you at risk for a back strain. You need your muscles to be strong and limber to prevent many of the most common caregiving-related injuries. Try to include strength training exercises in your workout regimen, such as yoga or weight lifting, to keep your body in shape for handling caregiving tasks.
3. Enjoy Better Quality Sleep
Insomnia is a common complaint among caregivers who experience anxiety. Physical exercise prepares the body for bedtime by burning off excess energy, and the same endorphins that lift depression can also clear your mind when it’s time to sleep. Try to finish your workout at least two hours before your normal bedtime so you aren’t too energized to fall asleep.
4. Establish Social Connections
When you barely have time for exercise, you’re also likely skipping out on social opportunities. Group exercise classes allow you to meet two needs at once. While you do aerobics, play a sport, or stretch in yoga, your body gets stronger. By doing these activities in a group setting, you also get the chance to make new friends and chat with people who have similar interests. Your exercise buddies can help you stay on track with your workout regimen. If you cannot leave your loved one alone at home, consider arranging for respite care a few times a week so you can fit in socialization and a workout at the same time.
If you’re the primary caregiver for a senior family member and you need respite care, Edmonton, Alberta, Home Care Assistance is here to help. Our respite caregivers are trained to assist older adults with a wide variety of everyday tasks, including meal prep, physical activity, and personal hygiene. We also provide 24-hour care and specialized care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s.
5. Maintain Overall Health
Family caregivers are known for being selfless, and you might feel guilty about taking time out for yourself to work out. However, you need to keep in mind that exercising may help you ward off serious health conditions that interfere with the ability to provide care to your loved one. Whether you work out for 20 minutes or an entire hour, every minute you spend exercising may extend the time you can continue to be a family caregiver.
Hiring a professional caregiver is a good way to take a break from your caregiving duties to exercise. If you’re the primary caregiver for a senior family member and are looking for professional senior care, Edmonton Home Care Assistance should be your top choice. Our dedicated and compassionate caregivers are committed to helping older adults manage their health and enjoy a higher quality of life in the golden years. To create a customized in-home care plan for your aging parent, give us a call at (780) 490-7337 today.