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Caring for the Caregiver: How to Nurture Yourself While Supporting Others

As a caregiver, you feel honored to take care of your loved one. Caregiving is one of the most selfless roles a person can take on. While your work is important, admirable, and essential to the well-being of others, it can take a toll on you over time. Whether you’re juggling the needs of your aging parents, tending to young children, or managing the daily demands of a household and career, it can feel like you’re pouring from an empty cup. Amid caring for others, you may find yourself ignoring your own health and well-being, often without realizing it.
But here’s the truth—if you’re not taking care of yourself, the toll can be significant on both yourself and your loved ones, including the person or people you care for. Burnout, exhaustion, and neglecting your own needs don’t just affect you. They also impact your ability to provide the thoughtful and compassionate care that your loved ones deserve. Learning to prioritize yourself isn’t selfish; it’s necessary. Here, The Landings of Canton Hill will discuss how you can balance caregiving responsibilities while nurturing your own well-being.
Why Self-Care Must Come First
Feeling tired? Overwhelmed? You’re not alone. It’s normal to feel this way when you’re responsible for the well-being of others. Studies continue to highlight the challenges caregivers face. According to research from the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP:
- 20% of caregivers report significant physical strain due to their responsibilities. While some of this strain can come from the physical responsibilities of caregiving, it can also come from holding tension in the body. You may find that your joints and muscles feel tired as stress takes its toll.
- 40% say caregiving is emotionally stressful. This can be especially true for people who find that all or most of the caregiving responsibilities fall on their shoulders. Even with the help of other friends or family members, it can be mentally taxing to be the main decision maker for your loved one.
- Caregivers who’ve served in this role for extended periods are more likely to rate their overall health as fair or poor. It’s easy to put yourself on the back burner when you spend much of your time ensuring that your loved one gets the care and support they need.
Even more concerning, caregivers tend to neglect their own self-care behaviors, including proper nutrition, exercise, and medical attention. The results? Issues like poor sleep, heightened anxiety, or even depression. When you’re in charge of taking care of someone else, it’s easy to forget about your own needs. Even if you struggle to justify taking time for your own well-being, it’s important to remember that you can’t care for someone else well if you’re not taking the time necessary to care for yourself. The key is to change the narrative around self-care and find ways to implement activities that support your well-being into your daily schedule.
8 Ways to Care for Yourself as a Caregiver
Taking time for yourself isn’t just an occasional luxury—it’s an essential part of maintaining your mental, physical, and emotional health. While it’s great to get a massage or go to the salon, there are many, many other methods of self-care that are easier to implement on a regular basis. Below are strategies to help you take a step back and refill your cup.
1. Learn to Accept Help
Often, caregiving feels like it’s entirely up to you. But others are often willing and able to pitch in—you only need to ask. Have a list of tasks ready, like running errands, preparing meals, or spending time with your loved one, so you can take a breather. Even small contributions from friends or family can alleviate stress. Try to let go of the mindset that you need to do everything yourself. There’s no trophy when it comes to caregiving. Sharing responsibilities can help you show up as your best self both in your daily life and for your loved one.
2. Focus on What You’re Able to Do
Perfection is a myth, especially in caregiving. Guilt can creep in whenever you feel you haven’t done enough. But remember—you’re doing the best you can with the resources, energy, and knowledge you have. Celebrate the effort you give, even on harder days. If you find a better way to complete some of your caregiving tasks, that’s fantastic — but there’s no need to get down on yourself for not having everything figured out from the start. Embrace the learning process and remember that you’re a work in progress.
3. Set Realistic Goals
Break overwhelming tasks into manageable steps. Prioritize what truly needs to be done and create a daily or weekly plan. Learn to say no to commitments that stretch you too thin. For example, instead of hosting a holiday meal, suggest a potluck or simpler gathering to share the load. Think about caregiving like you’d think about working a job. It’s real work — just like you might need to say no to some commitments due to work, you can say no to some commitments due to caregiving.
4. Stay Connected
Caregiving can be isolating. Make time to connect with others who understand what you’re going through. Support groups—whether local or online—can be an excellent place to find encouragement and resources. If you’re unsure of where to start, you may want to talk with your loved one’s care provider about locally available support networks. Additionally, leaning on your social circle for emotional support can help reduce feelings of loneliness.
5. Prioritize Your Health
Physical health often takes a backseat when you’re focused on someone else’s needs. But proper rest, exercise, hydration, and nutrition are vital. Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days, whether it’s a walk or a stretching routine. Struggling with sleep? Give yourself some time to wind down at the end of the day, away from screens. If you’re consistently having trouble, talk with your doctor about strategies for better rest.
6. Stay Organized
When caregiving decisions or tasks become overwhelming, organization is your lifeline. Use calendars, apps, or notebooks to track medical appointments, medications, and household chores. Streamlining your responsibilities creates clarity and helps reduce stress. Taking a few minutes each day to organize your calendar can help you get clear on upcoming priorities.
7. Seek Professional Support
Beyond informal help from friends or family, don’t hesitate to seek professional guidance. Therapy or counseling, for instance, can provide a safe space to process emotions and gain perspective. A healthcare provider can also help you develop wellness goals specific to your needs. Asking for help with your mental health is a sign of strength — not weakness.
8. Visit Your Doctor Regularly
It’s easy for caregivers to put off their own medical needs. Make sure you attend regular health checkups, stay on top of screenings, and keep your vaccinations up to date. Don’t be afraid to share with your physician that you’re a caregiver—they can offer personalized advice to help you maintain your well-being.

Exploring Options for Respite and Support
Sometimes, self-care means stepping back entirely, taking a needed break from caregiving responsibilities to recharge. These breaks are not only normal but essential for your long-term ability to provide care. Feeling overwhelmed is inevitable when you’re caring for a loved one, and having planned support in place for when you need a break can help. Several options exist to help you balance this need for downtime:
1. Home Care Services
Home care providers can assist with medical, personal, and household tasks, even for just a few hours a week. This ensures your loved one remains well-supported while you attend to other responsibilities—or simply take time for yourself. Talk with your loved one’s doctor or their insurance company to learn more about home care services options.
2. Adult Day Care Centers
If your loved one can leave home, explore local adult day care programs. These centers are designed to offer supervised care, engagement opportunities, and even assistance with rehabilitation when needed. It’s a great way to ensure their well-being while giving you space to reset. Your loved one may also enjoy the opportunity to socialize with others and participate in new activities.
3. Respite Care
Respite care involves temporary stays at assisted living communities or specialized facilities. This option provides peace of mind, as your loved one receives professional care while you take an extended break. It can also help you and your family member become familiar with long-term care settings, should that become necessary.
4. Assisted Living Communities
For families navigating long-term care challenges, assisted living presents an opportunity to ensure loved ones are cared for in a nurturing, social environment. This option can relieve strain while fostering a safe, supportive home for their evolving needs. You can still provide caregiving services to your loved one when they reside in an assisted living community, but you’ll have access to support, assistance, and supervision for your loved one 24/7.
5. Short-Term Rehabilitation
If your loved one needs specialized care for recovery after surgery or illness, rehabilitation facilities provide around-the-clock service, from physical therapy to medication administration. This option ensures optimal care while allowing you to rest.
Remember, You Deserve Care, Too
It’s easy to feel like caregiving should always come first, but you must include yourself in the care equation. You can’t provide the best care for others when you’re not at your best. When you prioritize your own well-being, you’re not only healthier and happier, but also better equipped to care for others. The compassion and strength you offer your loved ones is truly remarkable—but don’t forget to extend that same kindness to yourself.
Take small steps today toward nurturing yourself, knowing that even the smallest choices add up. Whether it’s reserving time for a quiet walk, sharing responsibilities with others, or seeking professional support, every action you take to care for yourself creates a stronger foundation for your caregiving role. You’re not just a caregiver—you’re human, with needs that matter just as much as those you care for.
Contact us to start the conversation about your senior living move.