5 Self-Care Tips for Caregivers 

Caring for a loved one with lung cancer can be deeply meaningful but emotionally and physically demanding. As a caregiver, it’s easy to put your own needs on the back burner—but your well-being is essential for both you and the person you’re supporting. Here are 5 self-care tips to help you in your caregiving role. Keep in mind that everyone’s situation is different, and not all of these tips may work for you.

1. Acknowledge your feelings

Caregiving comes with a rollercoaster of emotions—grief, guilt, anger, exhaustion, and even resentment. Suppressing those feelings doesn’t make them go away; it may actually increase your stress. 

Action steps: 

• Allow yourself to feel. You’re not selfish or weak for having emotions. 

• If it’s doable, set aside 10 minutes a day to journal. This can help process your feelings instead of keeping them bottled up.  

• Talk with a friend or counselor to express what you’re going through. 

2. Seek support

You don’t have to do this alone. Emotional and practical support can lighten your load and give you space to breathe. As the saying goes, “you can’t pour from an empty cup.” Having support for yourself is critical to supporting others. 

Action steps: 

• When you’re ready, reach out to a trusted friend or family member and share how you’re doing. 

• Connect with other caregivers through support networks like Gathering HOPE or call GO2’s HelpLine (1-800-298-2436) to speak with our dedicated staff. 

• Set a weekly reminder to check in with someone in your support system. Even if it’s just a text, it can make a difference. 

3. Stay healthy

Your physical health directly impacts your energy, mood, and ability to care for someone else. 

Action steps: 

• Although it can be tough to achieve, aim for 7–8 hours of sleep a night. 

• Try to eat at least 1 nourishing meal or snack a day. If time is tight, try prepping a salad or smoothie in advance. If making food at home isn’t an option, swap in some healthy sides or a lower-sugar beverage when ordering out. 

• Even a few minutes of movement—like stretching or a walk—can boost your mood and energy. 

4. Do the things you love

We know that your free time may be very limited, but trying to maintain your interests can help prevent burnout and remind you that your identity is more than a caregiver. During times of uncertainty and emotional strain, allowing space for your interests can help you stay grounded, connected to yourself, and emotionally resilient.  

Action steps: 

• Make a list of 3 things you enjoy, like reading, gardening, or painting. 

• Try to set aside 1 hour per week to engage in 1 of those activities as a “reset.” 

• If you feel guilty, remind yourself: “Taking care of myself helps me be there for them.”

5. Use technology to your advantage

Technology can help you stay organized and reduce mental fatigue when you’re managing appointments, medications, and symptoms. 

Action steps: 

• If you have a smartphone, use your phone’s calendar app to log appointments and set alerts for upcoming visits. 

• Create a digital notebook (like in the Notes app or Google Docs) to record what doctors say and jot down questions in real time. (You can also record doctor visits using the Voice Memos app on your phone.) 

• Set reminders for medications, check-ins, or self-care routines, so you’re not relying on memory alone. 

Being a caregiver is important work, but don’t forget that you can’t provide good care if you don’t take care of yourself.  That isn’t selfish—it’s essential. Even small, consistent efforts to care for your well-being can build your resilience to better support the person you love.