Caregiving is stressfull and exhausting.

Caregiving is stressfull and exhausting. Beware these conditions can lead to depression. Therefore, you need to take proper care of yourself as well as your loved.

Here are some tips from Right at Home to make sure you look after your own needs:

Create a routine. By following the same rituals each night, your body will learn to react to these signals as indicators that it’s time to wind down for the night.

Remove distractions. Make your bedroom a caregiving duty-free zone. Remove all physical reminders — calendars, datebooks, lists, pill boxes, etc. — and find different places to store them. Don’t let yourself think about the day’s stressors or tomorrow’s to-do list, either.  Keep a notepad bedside if necessary so you can let go of that to do item and revisit  tomorrow).

Pray, meditate or practice deep breathing. The benefits of meditation can help combat stress and exhaustion: increased alpha waves in the brain (which enhance relaxation), reduced anxiety and decreased depression, according to a study in Psychology Today. Ten minutes a day is enough to start reaping the rewards. Prayer and deep breathing have been shown to offer similar benefits.

Fuel your body with what it needs. Give your body the healthy fruits, veggies and protein it needs so your body has the energy to keep up with your demanding schedule.

Exercise. It may be counterintuitive, but a little exercise can be the perfect pick-me-up when you’re feeling drained, according to WebMD. Even just squeezing in a 10 minute walk will help you boost your energy and clear your mind.

Set aside time for yourself. Everyone needs time for themselves. Just an hour a day can give you what you need to recharge. And you will be a much better caregiver for your loved one when you feel whole.

Take advantage of respite care. Even with regular small periods of time set aside for yourself, every three months you should take a longer break from your caregiving routine. There are many organizations that provide respite care services.