information on cookies see our Cookie Policy. (BUTTON) X As a carer how do you take control to minimise your stress? Carers need to look after themselves, particularly their stress levels Sun, Jun 19, 2016, 16:00 -- By having some time to pursue their own activities and interests, carers could reduce their stress levels. Photograph: iStockphoto By having some time to pursue their own activities and interests, carers could reduce their stress levels. Photograph: iStockphoto One of the best antidotes to stress in caregivers is a sense of control over some aspects of a life that can often end up revolving completely around the person being cared for, according to professor of psychology at Trinity College Dublin, Ian Robertson. “Caregiving can be very stressful, particularly if the carer feels unsupported, lonely or isolated and is not getting enough sleep. If you add financial challenges to that concoction, it’s almost inevitable your stress will be out of control.The most difficult situations are where the person being cared for has a condition like Alzheimer’s or dementia or a severe brain injury where there are changes in -- Robertson will be addressing a symposium on Healthy Aging – Focus on Caregiver Stress at University College Cork this Thursday, June 23rd. He highlights the need to mitigate the stress of carers by trying to help them to build some sense of control into their lives. -- One very effective internal intervention, says Robertson, involves flipping a simple mental switch that allows you to see your situation as a problem to solve or a challenge to meet, rather than a stress that totally overwhelms you. This simple switch in thinking has been shown to greatly diminish the symptoms of stress. ADVERTISEMENT [adserv|3.0|826.0|6366094|0|170|ADTECH;loc=300;alias=;cookie=info;kvinl -- “I know if somebody has been up all night caring for a person with dementia, they would say this idea was ridiculous, and I agree that in some situations, no amount of mental switching will diminish stress. That being said, there are many instances where you can turn stress into a challenge, which is a very healthy state of mind.” -- “Every carer should find their own emotional care activities and learn the skills to control their mood and stress. There are so many ways to do this and the great thing about modern technology is that there is very little you can’t learn online this days from your own home.” While stress can have deleterious effects, both physically and mentally on people, Robertson says in his new book, The Stress Test, How Pressure Can Make You Sharper and Stronger (Bloomsbury), that a moderate amount of stress can actually benefit people. It’s all about finding that “sweet spot” before your level of stress becomes overwhelming. “Stress is a two-edged sword. It can make you stronger and sharper and have a good impact on emotion and cognition if managed in the right way. If you have no stress in your life, you might be under-stimulated and underperforming, while too much stress can be overwhelming.” Prof Costança Paúl, University of Porto, Portugal, will tell the -- “The results to date show improved physical health of caregivers and reduced psychological distress. The carers who complete the course feel they are better carers, and there is a greater chance that the care recipient will not end up in an institution. -- or near our intervention setting.” Costança says the level of burden and stress differs from one carer to another, depending on their age and the stage of their career. -- The HRB KEDS Scientific Symposium Healthy Aging, Focus on Caregiver Stress takes place on Thursday, June 23rd, from 2pm to 6pm at Brookfield Health Sciences Complex, UCC. All are welcome to attend. For details search events at ucc.ie -- media creates the illusion of everybody else having the most wonderful life 'Tis the season to be jolly, but all I feel is stress' 'Tis the season to be jolly, but all I feel is stress' Brexit has hit my business hard and money for the children’s gifts is scarce this Christmas