There are so many organisations who can offer great advice on the person you care for -but what about you? 

Caring for a loved one can be very rewarding and fulfilling, but what about the difficult bits – we don’t mention them as much.  

It can be hard to admit that you’re struggling, you may even feel that you’re going to be judged for speaking your truth. 

How many of the below statements ring true?  

‘I get so stressed, I’m so tired, but can’t sleep’, ‘I think I’m depressed’. ‘I can’t do this anymore, what will happen if I’m not here?  ‘It’s not fair, I never have any time for me’.    

We are often our own worst critics; you may feel that you’re not good enough or should be doing more. You may feel that you’re not appreciated. You may feel lonely. You may feel you have lost your sense of identity.  

All these feelings are completely natural and normal. It’s OK to feel this way; you are not alone, in fact, every carer will recognise these feelings.  

The truth is you are not perfect and you have your own needs; this is where self-care comes in. 

International Self-care Day will take place on 24^th July 2026, this year’s theme is all about Mind and Body. Self-care is about us taking control and making small, daily, positive changes which help to improve our health and wellbeing.  

Setting realistic and achievable goals is an important first step. The University of Huddersfield have launched a free service called ‘Get Set Goal’ which helps you identify ways to improve your health and wellbeing. The service is confidential and supervised by registered healthcare professionals.   

The sessions will be held on-line or over the phone initially, appointments will typically last up to 45 minutes and will be conducted over a 4–6-week period. The final appointment will review your progress and talk about your next steps, including advice on how you can link in with other groups in your area.   

To find out more about this service pleased contact GetsetGoal@hud.ac.uk. 

Find out more about National Self-Care Week: National Self-Care Week – Self-Care Forum