I can’t stand it when I read about how I should get more sleep. That lack of sleep is dangerous to my physical, mental and emotional health. I might actually be sending myself to an early grave with my sleeping habits.
“Thanks,” I want to retort. “That’s helpful.” (Insert sarcastic tone here.) “I’ll be sure to tell that to my body at one a.m. when I get up to go to the bathroom and find myself suddenly wide awake. Or at three a.m. when I’m still struggling, almost in panic mode, to get back to sleep. Or at seven a.m. when I could happily sleep for hours, but it’s now time to get up. I’ll remember.”
I can control my sleep to some extent. Believe me, I’ve tried every suggestion and app, prayed and avoided what you’re supposed to avoid–done it all. My sleep is better than it was, but I still have those “hello, one a.m., two a.m., three a.m.” nights on occasion and without warning or discernible reason.
So, no guilt. None.
As I talk about caregiver stress and some of the effects of it, my purpose is to encourage you to look for support and ways to help. What you are doing is hard, and if even one suggestion works for you, then I have succeeded.
I’m not a lover of statistics, but these come straight from caregivers and some are shocking.
Physical results
- 11% of caregivers state that their role has caused their physical health to decline.
- 45% of caregivers reported chronic conditions, including heart attacks, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and arthritis.
- Caregivers have a 23% higher level of stress hormones and 15% lower level of antibody responses than non-caregivers.
- 10% of primary caregivers report that they are under physical stress from the demands of assisting their loved one physically.
- Women who spend 9 or more hours a week caring for a spouse increased their risk of heart disease by 100%.
- 72% of caregivers report that they had not gone to the doctor as often as they should have.
- 58% of caregivers state that their eating habits are worse than before they assumed this role.
- Caregivers between the ages of 66 and 96 have a 63% higher mortality rate than non-caregivers of the same age. 1.
Weak immune system. Stressed caregivers may have weaker immune systems than noncaregivers and spend more days sick with the cold or flu. A weak immune system can also make vaccines such as flu shots less effective. Also, it may take longer to recover from surgery.- Obesity. Stress causes weight gain in more women than men. Obesity raises your risk for other health problems, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
- Higher risk for chronic diseases. High levels of stress, especially when combined with depression, can raise your risk for health problems, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, or arthritis. 2.
Mental/Emotional Results
- Depression and anxiety. Women who are caregivers are more likely than men to develop symptoms of anxiety and depression. Anxiety and depression also raise your risk for other health problems, such as heart disease and stroke.
- Problems with short-term memory or paying attention. Caregivers of spouses with Alzheimer’s disease are at higher risk for problems with short-term memory and focusing. 2.
The news is bad. Stress can kill you. What caregiver doesn’t carry a truckload of it?
Next week, practical suggestions for dealing with caregiver stress.
If even one helps you, that’s a bonus!
- https://caregiver.com/articles/caregiver-stress-syndrome/
- https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/caregiver-stress
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