Balancing Caring Duties and Self-Care

Balancing Caring Duties and Self-Care.pdf

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Practical ideas for maintaining wellbeing while supporting someone else

Caring for a partner, parent, or friend can be rewarding, but it can also take a toll on your energy, health, and mood.

When you’re focused on another person’s needs, it’s easy to forget your own.

Self-care isn’t a luxury — it’s what allows you to keep going, stay kind, and avoid burnout.

• Acknowledge that balance takes effort

  • Caring can easily take over every hour of the day. It’s normal to feel torn between responsibility and rest. Recognising that both matter equally helps you make space for your own needs without guilt.

• Plan small moments of rest

  • You don’t need long breaks to recharge — brief pauses throughout the day can help. Sit quietly with a drink, step outside for fresh air, or listen to calming music. These short resets steady your mind and body.

• Accept help and share tasks

  • If others offer support, say yes. Ask family, neighbours, or community services for practical help such as shopping, transport, or short visits. Sharing care protects you from exhaustion and gives you time to breathe.

• Keep your own health appointments

  • It’s easy to neglect your own check-ups or medication when you’re focused on someone else. Staying well allows you to care effectively. Prioritising your health isn’t selfish — it’s part of responsible caring.

• Stay connected beyond the caring role

  • Keep contact with people who know you as more than a carer. A phone call, a chat, or meeting a friend helps you feel like yourself again and reminds you that your identity is bigger than your caring duties.

• Set gentle boundaries

  • You can care deeply while still saying “not right now.” Setting limits on what you can do prevents resentment and protects your energy for the long term. Boundaries create balance, not distance.

• Do something just for yourself each day

  • Enjoyment restores motivation. Read, garden, stretch, or watch a favourite show — whatever gives a small sense of pleasure or calm. These moments of self-focus keep life from feeling like endless responsibility.

• Reflect on what’s going well

  • Notice the small victories — your patience, organisation, or kindness. Recognising your effort reinforces confidence and helps you see progress even when days are difficult.

• Reflection questions

  • When do I feel most drained, and what helps me recover?

  • Who could share part of my caring responsibilities?

  • What small, realistic act of self-care could I include today?

• If you feel close to burnout

  • If you’re constantly exhausted, tearful, or short-tempered, talk to your GP or contact a carers’ organisation for support. Counselling, respite, or carer services can provide relief and reassurance.

• You’re not alone

  • Many carers struggle to balance compassion for others with care for themselves. With boundaries, shared support, and small daily acts of rest, you can continue caring with strength, stability, and a sense of wellbeing for both you and your loved one.

If you’d like to explore how professional support can help with emotional wellbeing in later life, click to visit the Counselling for Older People page.