One study reported if you are older, male, experience role overload, and depressed that your sleep will be disturbed. This research finding helped to explain what I have been experiencing since my dad was admitted to hospice five months ago. If you have a loved one that you are caring for, then don’t be surprised if you are sleeping less and your sleep is not as restful.
Sleep Tip #27: Seek out support if you are a caregiver to take the edge off of caregiver stress and improving your sleep. Support for caregivers may include any of the following:
- Sharing your feelings with folks that you trust and will not judge you.
- Negotiating with others to take the “load off your plate.”
- Don’t beat yourself up because you can’t sleep like you used to sleep prior to being a caregiver. `