Caregiver burnout is real. When you take care of a loved one day after day, put your life on hold, watch them decline, and put their needs first and foremost; you can easily experience burnout. It doesn't mean you love them less or that you do not want to take care of them, but you become tired and exhausted and need some TLC yourself and find it hard to do. People reach this stage at different times; it depends on how you can handle caregiving mentally and physically, and how long you are a caregiver. We all have our limits. 

Some signs of burnout are: depression or mood swings, lack of energy, sleeping too much or too little, a feeling of hopelessness, and being withdrawn from, or losing interest in, activities you once enjoyed.

Some ways to help prevent it is to: ASK for help, take care of yourself by making and keeping your own doctor appointments, exercise, eat well, and try to sleep well, get out of the house, visit with friends, and journal. 

Caregiving is hard, there is nothing easy about it. The more care you provider and the longer you do, the harder it becomes. That is why caregivers must invest in themselves as well, no matter how hard it may be. You will feel better and will thank yourself later for it and it will help you have the energy and mindset to continue to care for your loved one. They will thank you too as you will be able to care for them in a better state of mind.

**** For the full article on caregiver burnout, click on Signs of Caregiver Burnout and How to Prevent It