Hi John,

I’m a family caregiver for my mother and it’s so rewarding. Our relationship is better than it’s ever been but, I gotta say, it’s not easy.

I am freakin’ stressed. I worry all the time, I don’t sleep enough, I get angry easily, and I’m not enjoying the things I used to. The truth is, I’ve been feeling really down and financially strained – and it’s not because I’m a caregiver, it’s because most women caregivers like me are so often pushed into a corner alone to fend for ourselves, since our broken care systems leave us no options.

For the start of National Family Caregivers Month, I wanted to share some tips to manage stress. These tips have been a lifesaver for me in my caregiving journey, and I hope they’ll be helpful to you as well ⬇️

- Ask for help. Help is absolutely a luxury but every little bit counts. Make a list of ways in which friends and family can help you, then let them pick. Some ideas are taking regular walks with the person you care for, cooking dinner once a week, or helping schedule doctor’s appointments.

- Focus on what you can do. Sometimes it may feel like you’re not doing enough but you can only do what you can do! You don’t have to be the most perfect caregiver.

- Google caregiving resources near you. You never know what you’ll find like classes to take or caregiving services such as rides, meal delivery, or house cleaning.

- Join an online or in-person support group. Support groups are so great because they’re on your level. They can cheer you on, help you solve problems, and become a great group of friends over time.

- Take care of yourself when you can. Self-care is a privilege but try to find small ways to put yourself first like finding better ways to sleep, doing small exercises most days, drinking a ton of water, and eating healthy.

And then, my last tip for caregivers that I think is the most important…

- Stay connected to family and friends. Make time each week to visit with someone, even if it's just a walk or a quick cup of coffee. Sometimes even just having a group text with friends is a great way to take your mind off your stress.

And, what better way to stay connected with your friends and family than on social media?

Take a second to celebrate and share the importance of National Family Caregivers Month by posting a picture with our new Instagram filter!: [link removed]

Vanessa smiles in a selfie with the text 'Happy National Family Caregivers Month' above her [[link removed]]

Caregivers, we see you. Our entire society and economy depend on the work that caregivers do. We are so grateful for everything you do and we won’t stop fighting to support you. We’ll continue working to change the conversation about care – so everyone understands why we need a better care system.

We hope the month ahead will bring you some time for pause and rest.

With care,

Vanessa Serna, Senior Digital Director
Caring Across Generations

A gift to Caring Across Generations helps us win affordable child care, paid leave, and accessible long-term home and community care for all. Because #CareCantWait for families in the U.S.

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