Healthy Living
Caring for Those Who Care for Others
17 February 2026
Every day, caregivers show up for others in big and small ways. They help with daily tasks, provide comfort during hard moments, and offer emotional support when it’s needed most. Caregiving can be deeply meaningful. It can also be incredibly demanding.
The hidden weight of caregiving
Being a full-time caregiver is a lot of work. For many people, it’s not a role they planned for, and it doesn’t come with clear breaks or off-hours. Caregiving can be a 24/7 responsibility that includes managing medications, helping with meals or mobility, coordinating appointments, and offering constant emotional support.
Over time, these demands can take a toll. Many caregivers experience caregiver burnout, a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that can happen when someone spends long periods caring for another person without enough rest or support. Caregiver burnout may show up as:
Ongoing fatigue or trouble sleeping
Feelings of anxiety, sadness, or irritability
Trouble concentrating or feeling overwhelmed
Withdrawing from friends, family, or activities you once enjoyed
Studies estimate that one in five caregivers are estimated to be at risk of experiencing burnout, based on caregiver burden research. That number reflects just how common and how serious this issue is.
When caregivers feel alone
Caregiving can feel isolating. Friends may not fully understand the responsibility. Schedules can be unpredictable. Free time may feel nonexistent. Even caregivers surrounded by people can feel like they’re carrying the weight alone.
At the same time, many caregivers hesitate to ask for help. They may feel guilty taking time for themselves or worry that no one else can provide care the “right” way. Others may lack access to support systems or resources, even when they know they need them, but caring for others does not mean you have to do everything on your own.
Why self-care matters and why it’s hard
Experts agree that caregivers need care, too. Supporting your own physical, emotional, and behavioral health is not selfish. It’s essential. When caregivers are exhausted or overwhelmed, it becomes harder to provide safe, consistent care for others. Still, self-care is often easier said than done.
When time is limited and responsibilities are constant, the idea of “taking care of yourself” can feel unrealistic. Self-care does not have to mean long breaks, expensive services, or major lifestyle changes. Sometimes, it starts with small, realistic steps.
Small ways to support yourself as a caregiver
If you are a caregiver, consider these gentle reminders:
Lean on others, even briefly. Accepting help can feel hard, but support can come in many forms, like a short phone call, a quick walk, or someone sitting with your loved one while you take a break.
Name how you’re feeling. Stress, frustration, and sadness are common caregiving emotions. Talking with someone you trust can help ease the emotional load.
Take short breaks when you can. Even a few minutes of quiet, stretching, or deep breathing can help reset your body and mind.
Stay connected. Maintaining relationships outside of caregiving can reduce feelings of isolation and remind you that you matter, too.
Use available resources. Community organizations, health plans, and local services may offer caregiver support, education, or connections to additional help.
Honoring caregivers today and every day
We honor the strength, compassion, and dedication caregivers bring to their families and communities. Caregivers play a vital role in the health and well-being of others, and they deserve care, respect, and support in return.
If you are a caregiver, know this: your work matters, and so do you. Taking care of yourself is not a luxury. It’s part of sustaining the care you give every day.
At Providence Health Plan, we recognize caregivers as essential partners in health and well-being. We are grateful for all you do, today and always.
