Breast Cancer Awareness Month — Caring for yourself while caring for others

Supporting a loved one through cancer treatment is one of the most meaningful—and demanding—roles a person can take on. It calls for deep emotional strength, patience, and compassion. Yet, it can also leave caregivers feeling incredibly drained, anxious, or unsure of how to manage their own needs alongside the needs of someone they love. This is normal! As we come to the end of Breast Cancer Awareness Month this year, it’s an important time to not only honor those navigating breast cancer but also recognize the caregivers who walk beside them. Your care matters too.

When you’re focused on someone else’s comfort and healing, it can be easy to overlook your own well-being. However, caring for yourself is an essential part of sustaining the energy, empathy, and emotional balance that caregiving requires. Self-care is not indulgent—it’s restorative and necessary to keep yourself moving. It helps you maintain clarity, prevent burnout, and stay grounded in the midst of uncertainty.

Not sure how to start? Below are some therapeutic ways to support your own mental and emotional health while caring for someone with cancer:

• Practice grounding skills and mindfulness. Take brief moments throughout the day to pause, breathe deeply, and connect with your body. Even two minutes of slow breathing can calm your nervous system and help regulate overwhelming emotions. Check out the 54321 mindfulness activity for this.

• Attend your own health appointments. Make sure you are on top of your own medical, therapy, or wellness visits. Caring for yourself allows you to show up more fully for others. You may also inspire others around you to maintain their own health, as well.

• Journal or creatively express yourself. Writing, creating art, or listening to music can help process the complex emotions that come with caregiving—grief, fear, gratitude, or even frustration. Try tapping into the feelings you have, or try tapping into the emotions you want to feel in the moment, such as happiness or excitement.

• Seek connection and support. Join a caregiver support group or talk with trusted friends or a therapist who understands the challenges of caregiving. Sharing your experience can reduce isolation and strengthen resilience.

• Set compassionate boundaries. It’s okay to say no, ask for breaks, or delegate tasks. Boundaries protect your emotional energy and promote balance. 

• Accept help when offered. Let others provide meals, run errands, or offer company. You do not need to carry everything alone. Use your support system! You deserve support, too.

• Cultivate small moments of meaning. Savor brief moments of joy—shared laughter, fresh air, a warm cup of tea. Mindfulness of these moments can bring calm and hope amidst uncertainty. The little things, little moments, can make a huge difference in the long run.

  
  

If you find yourself feeling emotionally exhausted or unsure of how to cope, therapy can offer a space to process your experience, learn grounding strategies, and strengthen your self-compassion. At Charter Oak Family Center, we support both individuals navigating serious illness and the caregivers who stand beside them. Remember—caring for yourself is not separate from caring for your loved one; it is an essential part of the journey toward healing for everyone. We're here to help you start that journey!