Key takeaways
- Prioritising a balanced diet, regular exercise and sufficient sleep is essential for maintaining your health
- Small, manageable changes in your daily routine can have a significant impact on your overall wellbeing
- Seeking support and using available resources can help you better manage your lifestyle and caregiving responsibilities
Caring for someone with cancer can be an all-consuming role, often leaving little time for your own health and wellbeing. However, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important, not just for your own sake, but to ensure you have energy and resilience. Here are some practical tips on how to manage your diet, exercise, and sleep while juggling your caregiving responsibilities.
Eat well to stay well
When you’re busy caring for someone else, it’s easy to fall into the trap of quick, unhealthy meals or skipping meals altogether. However, a balanced diet is key to maintaining your energy levels and immune system. Aim to include a variety of food groups: whole grains, fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and healthy fats. Planning your meals ahead of time and cooking in batches can help you eat well, even on busy days. If you’re on a budget, consider buying supermarket own brands, looking out for offers, or using frozen fruits and vegetables, which are just as nutritious as fresh ones.
Get moving, even if it’s just a little
Finding time to exercise can be challenging, especially if you’re a full-time carer. However, even small amounts of physical activity can make a big difference to how you feel. Try to incorporate movement into your daily routine. Take the stairs when you can, go for a walk during a break, or follow a short exercise video at home.
Regular physical activity not only helps you stay fit but also improves your mood, reduces stress, and increases your overall sense of wellbeing. You may also be able to find activities that you can do with the person you’re caring for, this might be as simple as a short walk, seated exercises or gentle stretching.
Prioritise your sleep
Sleep is often one of the first things to be compromised when you’re a carer. Lack of sleep can lead to fatigue, reduced concentration, and even physical health issues like high blood pressure. Establish a regular bedtime routine, create a calm and comfortable sleeping environment, and avoid stimulants like caffeine in the evening. If your sleep is disrupted by caregiving duties, try to find time for short naps during the day. If you continue to struggle with sleep, don’t hesitate to seek help from your GP.
Taking care of your diet, exercise, and sleep might seem like an additional burden on top of your caregiving responsibilities, but these small changes can significantly improve your quality of life. Remember, looking after yourself is not a luxury, it’s a necessity so that you can continue to care effectively. If you’re finding it difficult to manage, ask for support. Whether it’s from friends, family, or professional carers, there’s help available to ensure you can maintain your own health and wellbeing.
While we have ensured that every article is medically reviewed and approved, information presented here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to one of our healthcare professionals or your primary healthcare team.
References:
‘Looking after yourself,’ carersuk.org, accessed August 2024, https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/your-health-and-wellbeing/looking-after-yourself/