How do I protect my own health while caring for someone with cancer?

Protecting your health starts with keeping up your own checkups, screenings, and appointments, even while your attention is focused on someone else. It's easy to let these slide, but staying well is part of how you're able to keep showing up as a caregiver.

Watch your mood, too. Some stress and sadness is normal, but if feelings of depression or anxiety last more than two weeks, it's worth talking to your doctor. Caregivers commonly experience fatigue, a weaker immune system, sleep problems, slower healing, higher blood pressure, appetite or weight changes, headaches, and mood changes — these are recognized effects of caregiving stress, not personal failings.

Keep taking your own medicine as prescribed, and simplify where you can, such as asking about a larger prescription supply or pharmacy delivery. Try to eat regular meals, get rest when you can (short naps count), and aim for about 15 to 30 minutes of activity a day, like walking, gardening, or biking.

None of this needs to be perfect. Small, consistent steps toward your own health make it more possible to keep caring for your loved one over time.