Caring For My Home: How To De-Stress As A Busy Caregiver
Taking care of my home is the perfect destresser. As busy caregivers, we spend a lot of time taking care of others and it is very easy to let our house go. When we maintain our home, we are creating a peaceful, harmonious environment. Providing a sense of calm, which is not only beneficial for our loved ones but it is also good for our own mental and emotional well-being.
Become a master destresser! In this article, we will explore effective strategies and practical tips to help prioritize self-care and to create a harmonious home as a busy caregiver.
For me, taking good care of my home is a priority. When I moved to Cape Cod, I bought a lovely home and spent an entire year decorating it. This was not easy because, at the time, we were at the height of Covid and in lockdown. I basically did all of my shopping online!
My goal when I was decorating The Hammock (my nickname for our home…ha), was to buy good quality furniture and decorative pieces so I wouldn’t have to buy again for a very long time.
I don’t mind spending money when necessary but I hate spending money on the same thing twice!
That is why it is important for me to take care of my stuff. And why, when I’ve had a stressful day, cleaning, organizing, and decluttering are great ways for me to de-stress.
Declutter To De-Stress
Taking the time to declutter not only provides us with a beautiful, clean, and peaceful environment but it also brings about a sense of tranquility and calm. It is the perfect way to de-stress.
Living in a clutter-free space also enhances our productivity and efficiency. When items are put away neatly and in an organized fashion, we don’t have to spend a lot of time searching and looking for misplaced items.
Keeping a home that is void of clutter fosters a sense of pride and satisfaction.
And decluttering is also an excellent destresser tool to help caregivers feel a sense of contentment within their own surroundings.
5 Top Decluttering And Organizing Tips
Throughout my caregiving years of raising children, working in the hospital, and now caring for Doug who has Parkinson’s, I have come up with several very easy and practical decluttering tips. Here are my top five.
5 Top Decluttering And Organizing Tips
- Have a clear plan.
Before you begin any decluttering and organizing project, you must have a clear plan.
Determine where in your home you want to start and write down a hierarchy of rooms you want to declutter beginning with the highest priority. - Sort and categorize.
Make 3 categories; donate, sell, and throw away. Sort all of the items you aren’t keeping into these categories.
- One at a time.
Organize and de-clutter one room at a time. Avoid moving into another room until you have the first room completely decluttered to your satisfaction.
This helps you stay motivated and prevents you from spreading your clutter to other areas. - Use the 80/20 rule.
Be aware that 20% of your belongings are likely responsible for 80% of your clutter (the Pareto Principle). So consider closely keeping only those things that truly add value to your life.
- Maintain an organized system.
Once you have decluttered and organized your space, find a system to maintain it.
Regular organizing and decluttering take far less time than waiting and having to do a major overhaul.
Keep in mind that organizing and decluttering will always be a continuous process, so try not to get overwhelmed.
We as busy caregivers have a lot on our plate so be gentle and kind with yourself and learn to enjoy the process.
Now That You Are A Master Destresser
Now that you have some tools to become a master destresser, let’s get cracking and start making your home a beautiful and relaxing haven.
Look around your home and think about designating a room, or an area of your home, as your own little sanctuary. A place of refuge where you, as a busy caregiver, can retreat to gather your strength and stamina.
Incorporate beautiful personal touches in this room. Gather items that make you feel peaceful and happy, and put a smile on your face.
For me, these are things like gorgeous smelling, non-toxic candles, a small vase of wildflowers, pictures of my children, seashells, and sea glass.
VIDEO: How I Destress As A Busy Caregiver
Frequently Asked Questions
It is not easy to find time to care for your home as a busy caregiver but it can be done. Make a list of things that need attention in order of priority. Then break each task into 10-15 minute chunks. Over the course of the day, you will be surprised at just how much work you will have completed.
First and foremost, organizing and decluttering your home will be the best way to destress and create a peaceful environment in your home.
That said, lighting beautiful-smelling candles or diffusing essential oils are wonderful ways to create a calming environment. Playing gentle music, and bringing into your home something from nature, like wildflowers or a potted plant is another good way to create a peaceful, calming atmosphere.
Prioritizing self-care is important to prevent caregiver stress. And physical activity is probably the quickest way to get back to feeling calmer and in control. If you can, go on a walk or at least step outside to get some sunshine. Stretch your body and breathe in deeply.
Strongly consider asking for help from family and friends, or even a paid professional to help get your equilibrium back.
Self-care is NOT selfish. It’s a statement to you, and to those around you, that you are worthy of being treated well to maintain your own health – physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Make this mental shift and be compassionate towards yourself. Being an expert destresser benefits you but it also benefits those you care for because you will have the reserves to better provide for those who need you.
The best way to prevent overwhelm when it comes to home care is to break down your projects into 10-15 minute chunks. Then tackle each chunk one at a time throughout your day or week.
This will help you get things done slowly, and also create momentum, providing encouragement for you to keep moving through your list.
Self-Care Destresser
Organizing and decluttering your home environment, and taking care of yourself as a busy caregiver go hand in hand.
Taking the time to clean and organize your home will help you feel good about yourself, and will help create a harmonious environment for you and your family.
Taking good care of yourself, and making yourself a priority at times, will also better equip you for the demands of caregiving.
When you prioritize self-care and maintaining a harmonious home, you are nurturing not just yourself but also the relationships and environment around you.
So create a space that brings you joy and fills you with pride, and you will become a destresser expert in no time.
Check out these other nourishing recipes and joyful living tips for busy caregivers
Let’s be social
If you enjoyed this article, I would love it if you share it with your friends and family, and comment below. Let me know what kind of de-stressor techniques work for you.
You can also follow me, and my life on Cape Cod, on my Instagram page @upsidelane.
