For caregivers, the top priority is always the needs of their elderly loved ones. Depending on their stage of life, caring for an older adult can include maintaining the home, cooking for them, running errands, and helping keep them clean. These tasks can take up a great portion of one’s day, and if the caregiver works a full-time job on top of it, their time is especially limited. Finding any time to care for themselves feels practically impossible.
Despite how hard it can be to tend to your own personal care, it is crucial you do so. Physical activity, in particular, is so important to make time for. Even half an hour of exercise has been shown to have substantial impacts on one’s physical and mental health alike. However, for some caregivers, finding 30 minutes in a day is a challenge. Luckily, there are some easy ways for caregivers to stay active that don’t feel detrimental to one’s existing schedule.
How much exercise do I need to stay healthy?
On average, it is advised that adults get roughly 150 minutes of medium-intensity cardio exercise. That number might sound overwhelming at first, but it brings us back to that 30 minutes a day (five days a week) marker. Strength and flexibility training can take place less frequently (about two times a week), but are still quite important to your overall health.
Exercise has been proven to help fight many of the conditions caregivers are more likely to face. On average, caregivers who exercise experience higher rates of pain relief, increased stamina, reduced stress, and higher overall happiness. As a result, these individuals are able to provide their elderly loved ones with higher-quality care. Taking care of oneself directly impacts one’s ability to care for another!
Easy ways for caregivers to stay active
You don’t have to drop everything you’re doing to start exercising. Incorporating physical activities into your daily responsibilities is simpler than you may realize. For a few ideas, start here.
- Get your heart pumping while completing chores. Housekeeping is already an inherently physical task, so why not take it to the next level? Simple activities like doing squats while washing your dishes or keeping moving while vacuuming take more effort than you realize and will get the heart pumping.
- Skip the car next time you have to run errands. If you live in comfortable proximity to your local grocery store or pharmacy, take advantage of that. Instead of jumping in the car next time you have to pick up a prescription or grab a few groceries, walk or bike there instead.
- Take regular, short walks. You don’t have to walk for hours to feel the benefits. A brisk, ten-minute walk around the block will do more for your mental and physical health than you may realize!
- Exercise WITH your elderly loved one. Just like you, your elderly loved one needs to partake in some physical activity to stay healthy. Invite them on your walks around the park, or follow an exercise video together online. You’ll not only gain from the physical activity, but you’ll also spend valuable time together, which is especially great for seniors.
What if I really don’t have the time to exercise?
Even the above options may feel unfeasible with your daily responsibilities. If that is the case, take comfort in knowing there are still some key periods in the day when you can find time for a good exercise regimen.
- In the morning. For early risers, it may not be too much of a challenge to find about 30 minutes to exercise before their elderly loved one wakes for the day. If you’re not an early bird, consider setting your alarm to go off just 30 minutes sooner than usual.
- At night. Older adults are more likely to go to bed early, leaving you a few hours to tend to your own needs. This is the perfect time to run to the gym (if someone can keep an eye on the home for you) or follow an exercise video at home.
- Break up your exercise into intervals. Exercising two or three times a day for 10 to 15 minutes is just as beneficial to your health as exercising for a continuous 30 minutes is. Try taking a walk for 15 minutes in the morning, then follow with a yoga video later in the day for another 15 minutes.
If caring for your loved one is too stressful, hire an at-home caregiver
At Home Care Powered by AUAF, we understand how stressful it can be to keep up with the diverse array of needs your elderly loved one has, and how isolating handling it all on your own can be. If you find yourself easily overwhelmed by the many responsibilities that come with caregiving, consider hiring the help of a direct care worker.
Our staff is trained in the intricate ins and outs of care your loved one requires to age comfortably at home. They proudly assist with the activities of daily living your loved one needs fulfilled while also acting as a compassionate companion. For more information on our services, give us a call at (623) 526-6367.
