Caregiving, parenting, and teaching are some of the most meaningful roles we can take on — but they can also be some of the heaviest. The long days, the constant decisions, the guilt over not “doing enough,” and the exhaustion that creeps in when you’re always pouring from your cup… it adds up. If you’ve ever felt drained, anxious, or overwhelmed while caring for someone else, you’re not alone.
I’ve been on both sides of this. Years ago, I was my mom’s caregiver while she was living with Alzheimer’s. More recently, my husband had a leg amputation, and my caregiving role changed overnight. There were days I felt strong and centered, and there were days I felt like I was running on empty. What helped me the most was learning simple, grounding practices that I could do in just a few minutes — one of my favorites is EFT Tapping.
Tapping (or Emotional Freedom Techniques) combines gentle tapping on acupressure points with affirming words. It’s a simple way to release tension and bring yourself back into balance when your emotions start to feel heavy. Here’s a mini-script you can try right now:
Eyebrow: “I feel so tired and stretched thin.”
Side of Eye: “There’s so much on my plate.”
Under Eye: “It feels like I can’t take a breath.”
Top of Head: “I give myself permission to pause and care for myself too.”
Take a deep breath, exhale slowly, and notice how your body feels. Even just one or two minutes of tapping can help calm your nervous system and lighten the emotional load.
My newest book spotlights EFT as a self-care resource and contains tapping scripts to support you when life feels overwhelming. You can take a peek here →Reconnected: Caregiver's Devotional
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Even small moments of care for yourself ripple outward to those you serve. You deserve care just as much as the people you care for.