Managing Stress Is Within Your Power
"My caregiver mantra is to remember: The only control you have is over the changes you choose to make.”
~ Nancy L. Kriseman, Author
Caregiving often brings unpredictable challenges—medical issues, emotional outbursts, or system barriers—which can feel overwhelming. But the quote above is a powerful reminder that while we cannot control everything about our caregiving situation, we do have control over our own choices. Focusing on what is within our control, like setting boundaries, asking for help, or creating moments of rest, can reduce our feelings of helplessness and stress.
This mindset encourages us to shift from reacting to everything around us to responding with intention and self-awareness. It also helps us let go of guilt or perfectionism, recognizing that we don’t have to fix everything—we just need to do what’s within our power. By embracing this mantra, we promote acceptance, self-compassion, and mindful decision-making—tools that can restore a sense of peace and purpose in even the most difficult caregiving moments.
Managing stress is essential to preventing burnout. It addresses one of the root causes of burnout before it escalates into more serious mental, emotional, or physical health issues. Managing stress helps:
Reduce Emotional Overload - Chronic stress builds up over time, leading to emotional exhaustion. When caregivers learn to manage stress effectively, they’re better able to regulate emotions, maintain patience, and avoid becoming overwhelmed.
Preserve Mental and Physical Health - Unmanaged stress can lead to anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and physical health issues. By actively managing stress, caregivers protect their overall well-being, which sustains their ability to provide care over the long term.
Support Problem-Solving and Decision-Making - High stress can impair thinking and coping. Managing stress helps caregivers stay clear-headed and confident, improving their ability to make decisions, ask for help, and navigate caregiving challenges.
Build Emotional Resilience - Caregivers who practice stress management are more likely to bounce back from setbacks and adapt to changing care needs, making them less vulnerable to burnout over time.
3 TOOLS FOR MANAGING THE STRESS OF CAREGIVING:
1) Daily Self-Check-In Tool
A short, guided reflection (journal or app-based) that prompts you to check in with your emotions, energy level, and needs each day. This builds self-awareness, catches stress early, and encourages small acts of self-care before burnout sets in.
Example prompts:
How am I feeling today (emotionally/physically)?
What is one thing I need today?
What small things can I do for myself?
2) Stress Relief Menu
A personalized list of quick, low-effort stress relievers you can turn to in tough moments—like breathing practices, guided meditation (don't forget about our YouTube channel - link in bio), a favorite playlist (don't forget about our Spotify playlists - link in bio), stretching, stepping outside, or calling a friend. These will make it easier to choose self-care in the moment, especially when energy is low or time is tight.
3) Boundary-Setting Worksheet
A tool to help you identify where you feel overwhelmed and create clear limits or requests for help—with family, healthcare providers, or employers—to reduce emotional overload and promote healthy limits.
It’s important to remember that not all stress is bad. Stress is a natural part of life, and it can have positive effects, too. When we can EMBRACE stress, it changes how we look at ourselves and what we can handle. Choosing to see the good in stress and managing it effectively can help us meet the challenges in our lives.