This article provides a guide for parents of children with special needs to determine their fatigue levels and find healthy ways to manage them.

Caring for a child who has special needs can be a big job, and sometimes it can also feel like a journey you’re making alone. As a parent, you may feel an array of emotions when it comes to caregiving, from guilt to exhaustion, and everything in between. 

While this is common, you don’t have to struggle with caregiver fatigue. There are several tactics you can try to reduce those feelings so you can enjoy each day and focus on the task at hand, including setting personal goals and finding support from online resources. 

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Use this guide to assess your fatigue levels as a caregiver so you can find the right treatment.

Take a look at some key factors

In order to assess your fatigue levels and find the right treatment, there are a few things you’ll need to take a look at; this will help you create a plan of action.

● How well do you sleep? Do you often wake still feeling tired?

● Do you have support/assistance from friends and family?

● How much free time do you have on a given day?

Take small steps to create change

Working on your fatigue levels can take some time, as you’ll need to consider both the positive and negative sides to making changes to your routine. As you pursue a self-care plan that allows you to get more sleep, for instance, you might end up overwhelming your partner or family members who are helping out, so it’s crucial to keep balance in mind. Or, you might begin to use self-care practices in place of therapy, which can be detrimental to individuals who are living with conditions such as anxiety or depression. 

Start small with routine changes, which will help both you and your child make these transitions smoothly. It might be helpful to work on a few small goals with your child, such as getting them to take over little responsibilities–like laying out their school clothes or flossing their own teeth–if they’re physically able.

Pursue some goals of your own

While it’s definitely a step in the right direction to look for ways to save time and energy, you can also tackle a few goals of your own in an effort to boost your mental healthand confidence. Once you’ve made some changes to your routine that allow you a little free time, consider looking for a new job in order to reduce stress or work a better schedule. You don’t have to agonize over creating a perfect resume; these days, you can use a free online resume builder that provides a customizable template, so you can fill in the colors and text you want to use for an eye-catching end result.

Start a business

Ready to go bigger than just finding a new job? Starting a business may sound like a major undertaking, and while it does require some hard work, it may provide the flexibility you’re looking for while allowing you to pursue a passion project. 

Think of some business ideas, do your market research to determine the need for your product or service, and create a solid business plan. From there, you can form an LLC, which will protect your personal assets and limit your liability while providing less paperwork than other structures. Each state has its own rules about formation, so read up on the steps to start an LLC in Missouri.

Whether you choose to start a business of your own, look for a new job, or simply find ways to make your routines easier, there are many ways to reduce caregiver fatigue. Start small with your changes to prevent becoming overwhelmed.

Have a question for the pros at Level Up Coaching & Consulting? Reach out today for more information.