Caregivers: Surviving Winter Fatigue

In Washington, the winter months can drag. During the darkest day of December, the sun sets at 4:20 p.m. reducing the amount of sunlight one is exposed to by drastic amounts. It’s during this time that many people encounter depression and fatigue; a classic case of the “winter blues.” Don’t ignore these symptoms. They may be associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. The Mayo Clinic defines SAD as “a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons” which “sap[s] your energy and mak[es] you feel moody.” Being moody and drained of energy all the time becomes even more difficult to manage when we’re on the job, especially a job working as a caregiver.

Providing care for elderly and disabled can be one of the most stressful jobs one works. You are, after all, ensuring that someone maintains their lifestyle as living life becomes increasingly difficult. This becomes even harder when we face fatigue and moodiness, and we may begin to take it out on our clients or our families at home.  There are ways that we can fight this winter exhaustion, and by doing so we can begin to treat our loved ones and clients with the respect and care they deserve.

Here are some tips that can help:

1. Use a light lamp. These lamps simulate sunshine which produces vitamin D in our bodies. Vitamin D is a source of energy and mood enhancement.
2. Use a Dawn simulator. This technology functions as an alarm that gently wakes you up with an ever increasing amount of light.
3. Therapy
4. Antidepressants
5. Aromatherapy
6. Exercise
7. Take advantage of sunshine when you’re able.
8. Stick to your schedule
9. Take a vacation to a warmer and sunnier climate.
10. keeping a Journal
11. Take vitamin D supplements
12. Be proactive. Find ways to stay busy during the depths of winter.

There are different solutions for everyone, but we hope that these suggestions will get you started along the right path. Please, consult a doctor before considering medicine. As caregivers, we must take care of ourselves in order to provide better care to our families and clients. One of the best things one can do is to find a company that cares about. Generations Home Care is that place.

*Note: tips are taken from Everyday Health.