How to Give Yourself a Better Night as a Family Caregiver
Elderly Care in Warren County VA
If you’re feeling like your evenings and nights are getting away from you, you might be right. Here are some ideas for how to help yourself have a better night so you can be an effective caregiver 
the next day.
Pay Attention to Your Bedtime Routine
If you don’t already have a bedtime routine, it’s time to establish one for yourself. A bedtime routine can be as simple as reading a book before bed and then slowly gearing down. Yours might be more complicated than that, especially if you add in a soak in the tub or other nighttime habits. Getting to bed at the same time every night can help you to get better sleep and a routine keeps you in the pattern you need to be in to hit that target.
Assess Whether Caffeine or Food Could Be to Blame
Some people are more sensitive to caffeine or to certain foods than other people are and this can affect their ability to fall asleep or to stay asleep. If you suspect that food or certain drinks could be the culprit, start keeping a food diary. Note what time you eat or drink and what your portion sizes are. Then, later you can compare your food diary to how you felt and determine whether you need to cut out caffeine earlier in the day or stop eating heavy meals after a certain time.
Limit Screen Time in the Evening
Screen time, such as computer screens, smartphones, and even tablets, can give your brain mixed messages in the evening. Instead of helping you to wind down, the light from these screens can actually make your brain feel that it’s time to keep going. You can adjust the screen with certain apps that help to filter the light differently, but it’s a better idea to simply unplug in the evening.
Plan for the Next Day
One of the worst ways to wake up and get out the door is with the nagging feeling that you’re forgetting something. Or that feeling when you wake up late and everything takes longer than it should. A solid way around this is to plan for your morning the night before. Set out your clothes and what you need to take with you when you leave the house. You might even be able to get breakfast ready the night before to really get a jump on your day.
Giving yourself this space at night can help your days as a caregiver go more smoothly. You can also ask your loved one’s elderly care providers for other tips that might help your specific situation.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring a professional elderly care in Warren County, VA, please contact the caring staff at LivinRite Home Care. Call Us Today at (703) 369-6677. Serving Northern Virginia, The Valley, and Surrounding Communities
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