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PAGE 12
PRESS & DAKOTAN
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017
50 lus
ving P
Li
Coping as a Avoid Aches and Pains When Gardening
Family Caregiver
Individuals are born into the
parents and other adult guardians to grow and thrive. These
adult children, in turn, may end
up providing care when their
parents reach senior age or face
an illness or disability.
Becoming a family caregiver
time, and can be emotionally and
States have provided unpaid care
to an adult or a child in the prior
12 months, according to the NaIt s not uncommon for
caregivers of any age to feel
stressed and burned out by
the demands of caregiving. The
experience caregiver stress can
be vulnerable to changes in
their own health. Some signs of
caregiver stress include:
stantly worried
angry
used to enjoy
bodily pain or other physical
problems
Some caregivers even
resort to drugs and alcohol to
self-medicate, which can lead to
further issues. To avoid the potential pitfalls of caregiver stress,
individuals should always put
their needs first and find ways
to alleviate the added stress of
caring for a loved one. These
suggestions are just a start.
Don t strive for perfection
It isn t possible to maintain
a patient attitude and get every-
thing done perfectly each and
every day. People are not perfect
and mistakes will be made. Do
not punish yourself if you lash
out or simply need a break
Eat healthy
a hungry toddler can attest, failresult in an emotional meltdown.
Be sure to always make time for
nutritious meals. This will help
keep up energy stores and enable
you to better cope with caregiver
stress.
Pay attention to mood
changes
sneak up on you when you least
your tasks are becoming too
overwhelming. Seek the help of a
doctor if changes in mood, sleeping patterns, appetite, and the
like become noticeable.
Take frequent breaks
Getting a break from caregiving and setting aside time for
yourself can increase patience
levels and the ability to bounce
back from stress. Whenever possible, have a friend or another
relative step in for you so you
get a break. Explore resources
available for professional aides
to come and take some of the
responsibilities off of your
shoulders.
Being a caregiver can be a
rewarding, but challenging role
their health a priority.
People who have not spent much
time in a garden may not consider
this rewarding hobby much of a
threat to their health. But as veteran
gardeners can attest, gardening can
contribute to nagging aches and
pains that can force even the most
ardent green-thumbers indoors.
Gardening is a physical activity
that, despite its peaceful nature, can
be demanding on the body. Thankfully, there are several ways that gardening enthusiasts can prevent the
aches and pains that can sometimes
pop up after long days in the garden.
aches, pains and injuries that can
cut gardeners seasons short. Gardening injuries can affect any area of
the body, but injuries or aches and
pains affecting the back, wrists and
hands are among the most common physical problems gardeners
endure. Look for ergonomic tools
that reduce the strain on these areas
of the body. Even arthritis sufferers
who love to garden may find that
ergonomic tools make it possible for
them to spend more time in their
gardens without increasing their risk
for injury.
Ergonomic gardening tools are
designed to prevent the types of
time. When leaning down
or working on your hands
and knees, stand up to take
breaks every 20 minutes
or the moment aches and
pains start to make their
presence felt.
ture. Back injuries have a
tendency to linger, which
can keep gardeners indoors
and out of their gardens.
When gardening, maintain
good posture to prevent
back injuries. Gardening
back braces can protect
the back by providing support and making it easier
for gardeners to maintain
their posture. Tool pouches attached to gardening
stools or chairs also can
be less taxing on the back
than gardening belts tied
around the waist.
Gardening might not be
a contact sport, but it can
cause pain if gardeners do
not take steps to prevent
the onset of muscle aches
and strains when spending
time in their gardens.
strain injuries can affect gardeners
who spend long periods of time
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performing the same activity in their
gardens. By alternating tasks during
gardening sessions, gardeners can
reduce their risk of suffering repetinot just on muscle groups worked,
ber to include some simple jobs
even on busy gardening days so the
body gets a break.
breaks can help combat the stiffness and muscle aches that may not
appear until gardeners finish their
gardening sessions. Breaks help to
alleviate muscles or joints that can
become overtaxed when gardening
for long, uninterrupted periods of
