Caring for yourself while always focused on others is often challenging as a caregiver. To avoid burnout, you must ensure your health and wellness first.

<p>
  Caring for yourself while always focused on others is often challenging as a
  caregiver. To avoid burnout, you must ensure your health and wellness first.
</p>
<h2>What is Caregiver Burnout?</h2>
<p>
  Caregiver burnout can occur when you are overworked, exhausted, and running on
  empty. What are the signs to look out for?
</p>
<ul>
<li>
  The feeling of losing control over multiple aspects
  of your life.
</li>
<li>
  The lack of energy and drive, impacting your work and
  home life.
</li>
<li>
  Changes in sleeping habits, causing too much or too
  little rest.
</li>
<li>
  Changes in eating habits causing weight gain or loss.
</li>
<li>
  Neglecting your health to the point of noticing
  problems that need to be addressed.
</li>
<li>
  The constant feeling of anxiety and worry on a daily
  basis.
</li>
<li>
  Feeling sad or depressed, which is not your normal
  personality.
</li>
</ul>
<p>
  It is easy to neglect your own needs because you are always paying attention
  to the needs of another human being. When you know what signs to pay attention
  to, you can avoid caregiver burnout and take a preventative approach.
</p>
<h2>How to Prevent Caregiver Burnout?</h2>

<ul>
<li>Realize you are not alone.
	<ul style="margin-top: 0;">
	<li>Caregiver burnout is very common.</li>
	<li>There are free resources to help you get through tough times as a caregiver.</li>
	<li>Cross Country offers you and your family fitness, health, and well-being through their wellness partner, <a href="https://join.burnalong.com/crosscountry" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Burnalong</a>.</li>
	</ul>
</li>
<li>Accept assistance from relatives, friends, co-workers, and anyone else offering.
	<ul style="margin-top: 0;">
	<li>Just like you assist someone who needs it, allow others to assist you.</li>
	<li>A friend or relative may offer to stock up on groceries since your free time is limited.</li>
	</ul>	
</li>
<li>Set realistic goals for yourself.
	<ul style="margin-top: 0;">
	<li>There is no such thing as perfection, so you must free yourself from trying to be everything to everyone.</li>
	<li>As much as you want to do it all, there are not enough hours in the day, and you are only one person.</li>
	<li>Know your limits and ensure you stay within them.</li>
	</ul>		
</li>
<li>Do not try to be a hero every day.
	<ul style="margin-top: 0;">
	<li>Everyone needs a break, and there is nothing wrong with taking a moment for yourself.</li>
	<li>Focus on your health and to-do list, and weave in relaxation or a hobby you enjoy.</li>
	</ul>
</li>
</ul>

<p>
  You are great at what you do and do what you do because you are a caring,
  loving, and selfless person. Always leave room to care for and love yourself.
</p>

<p>
  To learn more about Burnalong, <a
    href="https://join.burnalong.com/crosscountry"
    rel="noopener noreferrer"
    target="_blank"
  >click here</a
  >.
</p>


How to Recognize and Avoid Caregiver Burnout