"If you're caring for a loved one, self-care isn't a luxury — it's survival. Here are 10 realistic, guilt-free tips that don't assume you've got a whole Sunday to yourself."
- 1. Drink your tea (or coffee) before it goes cold.
- 2. Say no — even to helpful people.
- 3. Make a "done" list.
- 4. Pick one task to let go of.
- 5. Schedule your own check-in.
- 6. Ask for specific help.
- 7. Let someone take care of you.
- 8. Create a micro-ritual.
- 9. Don't confuse efficiency with care.
- 10. Remind yourself: you are doing enough.
💛 10 Self-Care Tips for Family Carers (That Aren't Just Bubble Baths)
If you're caring for a loved one — whether full-time, part-time, or from afar — chances are you've heard the phrase "you can't pour from an empty cup." And chances are, you've rolled your eyes at it while rushing to refill someone else's pillbox or answer that "just a quick question" message from a sibling.
At Nurtura, we know self-care for carers isn't a luxury. It's survival. So here are 10 self-care tips that are realistic, guilt-free, and don't assume you've got a whole Sunday to yourself.
1. Drink your tea (or coffee) before it goes cold. Sounds simple, but it's a win. Reheat it. Sip it slowly. Let that warm mug ground you, even for 90 seconds.
2. Say no — even to helpful people. Boundaries aren't just for those who don't help. They're also for those who try to over-help. You're allowed to protect your pace.
3. Make a "done" list. Care work is invisible. Write down what you already did today — not just what's left. Celebrate the unseen effort.
4. Pick one task to let go of. Just one. Maybe it's folding the towels perfectly. Maybe it's replying to that text tonight. Let it go, without guilt.
5. Schedule your own check-in. Put yourself on the calendar. Literally. A 10-minute walk, a journal entry, or just sitting with no expectations. You matter too.
6. Ask for specific help. "Can you pick up Mum's meds on Tuesday?" gets better results than "Let me know if you can help." Don't leave your lifeline open-ended.
7. Let someone take care of you. Even if it's just a friend making you a cup of tea, or Nurtura sending a gentle nudge that says, "You're doing great." Receive it.
8. Create a micro-ritual. A candle you light when everyone's asleep. A playlist for hospital drives. One thing that belongs to you, not the care.
9. Don't confuse efficiency with care. Being a brilliant care coordinator doesn't mean you're coping emotionally. Make space for the hard stuff. It's okay to cry and be capable.
10. Remind yourself: you are doing enough. Even when it feels like you're not. Even when no one says thank you. You are doing enough. And you are not alone.
❤️ **Built by carers, for carers.**
At Nurtura, we're here to help hold the things you carry — so you don't have to do it all, all the time.
Need a nudge? A check-in? A shared calendar that doesn't require a dozen logins? We've got you.
About the Author
Jean Du is the Strategic Delivery & Partnerships Lead at Nurtura.
Jean is a Chinese-Australian pharmacist, strategist, connector, systems thinker, and carer who previously worked at Australia's Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
Based in London, she knows what it's like to provide care from far away. At Nurtura, she leads delivery and partnerships— turning Nurtura's vision into something that actually works for families, for partners, and for the long haul. She sits at the crossroads of product, operations, and storytelling.
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