I'm looking after my mother during her cancer treatment. What are some things I can do to take care of myself?

Many caregivers put their own feelings and needs aside while they are caring for a loved one. They try to focus on the person with cancer. But taking time to recharge your own body, mind, and spirit can help you be a better caregiver. By taking care of yourself, you will be able to take care of your loved one.

You can take care of yourself by taking a short break from caregiving every day. Here are some ideas:

• Nap
• Exercise
• Keep up with a hobby
• Take a drive
• Work in the yard
• Catch up on phone calls, letters, or e-mail

More tips for caregivers are in the NCI's publication When Someone You Love Has Advanced Cancer: Support for Caregivers. You can get a copy by calling the NCI's Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER. You can also view and print it online.

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