It can be difficult to find the time to look after your own health and wellbeing when you are trying to balance the demands of your job with your caring responsibilities.
Maintaining your fitness and eating well will help you cope with the demands of both roles.
— Stephen
Tips for working carers
Talk to your employer about flexible working arrangements, job-sharing or reducing your working hours.
If you feel guilty about working, focus on the rewarding and satisfying aspects of both your caring role and your job.
Share your feelings with family, friends, workmates or a counsellor.
You may be able to talk to a counsellor through an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Accept help from your workmates when it is offered.
Try to take some time out for yourself each day.
Plan respite care in advance so you can have a break.
Look after your health and wellbeing by eating well, seeing your doctor when you need to and trying to get enough sleep.
Try some complementary therapies, such as massage, relaxation or meditation. Call 13 11 20 for more information and audio CDs.
Shop online to save time and energy.
Stay involved in activities you enjoy. It’s a good stress relief and will give you something else to think and talk about aside from caring.
Carolyn Butcher, Chief People and Development Officer, Thomson Geer, VIC; Karen Hall, Clinical Nurse, Cancer Services Division, Flinders Medical Centre, SA; Deborah Lawson, Legal Policy Advisor, McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer, VIC; Phil Mendoza-Jones, Consumer; Jeanne Potts, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council VIC; Helen Tayler, Social Worker and Counsellor, Cancer Counselling Service, Belconnen Community Health Centre, ACT.
The cancer information on this website is based on the Understanding Cancer series booklets published by Cancer Council. This information is reviewed and updated every two years or as new information comes to hand. Cancer Council works with cancer doctors, specialist nurses or other relevant health professionals to ensure the medical information is reliable and up to date. Consumers also check the booklets to ensure they meet the needs of people with cancer. Before commencing any health treatment, always consult your doctor. This information is intended as a general introduction and should not be seen as a substitute for your own doctor’s or health professional’s advice. All care is taken to ensure that the information contained is accurate at the time of publication.
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