This Anxiety Trap Is Draining You (Here’s How to Escape)


Self-Preservation

Give Yourself Permission to Slow Down

Scanxiety is more than just stress—it’s a mental and emotional overload that makes even small tasks feel like mountains. 🧗🏼‍♀️

When your brain is consumed with worry, it’s natural to struggle with decisions, focus, and energy.

Instead of fighting this, accept it.

Recognize that some things can wait.

🧺 The laundry will still be there.

🍽 The dishes can pile up for a few days.

Prioritize what truly needs to be done, and let go of what doesn’t. Adjust your expectations and acknowledge that this time in your life is different.

Giving yourself permission to slow down isn’t failing, it’s how you protect your energy and avoid burnout. 💪

Sponsor

Discover Calm in Just 5 Minutes a Day with Revive in 5!

Caregiving can feel overwhelming—your schedule is packed, your energy is low, and it seems like there’s never time for YOU. But what if you could reclaim a few precious moments of calm and clarity each day?

With Revive in 5, you can. This self-paced program is designed for caregivers like you, offering five unique 5-minute guided breathing exercises to help you prioritize your own care without taking time away from your loved one.

Here’s what you’ll gain:

❤️ Simple Stress Relief: Release tension with quick, effective techniques tailored for busy caregivers.

❤️ A Clearer Mind: Refresh your focus and improve your ability to tackle daily challenges.

❤️ A Renewed Spirit: Reconnect with yourself and feel more balanced in just 5 minutes.

❤️ Anywhere, Anytime Support: Access your exercises whenever you need a moment of calm.

This isn’t just about surviving caregiving—it’s about reviving your energy and showing up for your loved one with a full heart and clear mind.

Ready to feel more like YOU again?

Join Revive in 5 today and discover the power of small moments to create big changes.

Click below to learn more and take the first step toward the self-care you deserve.

Your time matters. Your care matters. You can make all the difference in just 5 minutes a day,

New Episode: The Cancer Caregiver Podcast

3 Game-Changing Hacks to Survive Scanxiety Weeks

Scanxiety can paralyze you—let’s talk about how to break free and take back control.

If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a pile of laundry, unable to move, you’re not alone.

Scanxiety (the overwhelming stress leading up to a loved one’s medical scans) can make even the simplest tasks feel impossible. And yet, each time, we forget just how heavy this anxiety can be.

The truth?

You don’t have to keep reliving this cycle.

Instead of pushing through and hoping it gets easier, let’s make a plan.

  • What if you accepted that scanxiety will slow you down and adjusted your expectations?
  • What if you prepped ahead of time, delegated tasks, or simply gave yourself permission to let go of the less urgent things?

In this episode, we dive into real strategies for shifting priorities, reducing stress, and actually taking care of yourself in the midst of scanxiety.

Whether it’s outsourcing small tasks, setting boundaries, or simply acknowledging that this time is different, I'm here to help you navigate it with more ease and less guilt.

Listen in and discover how to change the way you handle scanxiety,starting today.

[Listen to the full episode here]

Cancer Caregiver Support

  • Joe's House has discount codes for families needing to stay in hotel's near medical facilities for treatment. Find his database here.
  • Did you know that the American Cancer Society has local offices? Find local ACS events here.
  • Do you feel called to help another cancer caregiver? Imerman Angels is always looking for mentors to support other cancer caregivers as they try to navigate life with cancer in the house. Find out more at Imerman Angels.

How often do you feel stuck the days before during and after your loved one's medical appointments?

Hit REPLY to this email and let me know!

Self Preservation Tool

The 3-Day Scanxiety Plan

A structured approach to handling the most intense days of scanxiety can make all the difference. Here’s a simple plan to support yourself:

  • Day Before: Minimize stressors. Avoid big decisions or commitments. Spend quality time with your loved one and prepare for the next day in small, manageable ways.
  • Day Of: Clear your schedule as much as possible. Delegate responsibilities, avoid unnecessary tasks, and focus only on the essentials. Give yourself grace.
  • Day After: Plan a slower start to your day. Acknowledge the emotional toll, reflect on what you just went through, and take a moment to breathe. Ease back into routine at your own pace.

I'm really happy to have you here!


This was a weekly dose of support for you... a cancer caregiver trying to learn how to support yourself so you can support your loved one. One email a week to help you learn ways to prioritize your own care and become aware of resources in the cancer community.

This newsletter and the Cancer Caregiver Podcast exist for you because... life's short, cancer sucks but you DESERVE joy! ❤️

If you'd like to explore other ways to work with me, learn how to focus on your own self-preservation, and share this message with other caregivers here are some options for you.

  • 🙋🏻‍♀️ Take the Revive in 5 course and discover how you can transform your stress into calm and help you show up for your loved one with renewed energy in just 5 minutes a day. See if the program is the right fit for you.
  • ☎️ Invite me to speak to or facilitate a workshop for your organization or group. Reach Out

Meet me on 🥳 Instagram or 🙋🏻‍♀️ Linkedin

Listen to The Cancer Caregiver Podcast on:

Apple Podcasts / Spotify

Your Email Preferences:

Your email address is Reader.

Change your account details ↗

Unsubscribe from all emails ↗

Send mail to: 4200 S 48th St STE 30 PMB 103, Rogers, AR 72758

The Cancer Caregiver Newsletter

Every week, The Cancer Caregiver newsletter delivers actionable insights that help cancer caregivers prioritize their well-being with practical self-preservation strategies like mindfulness, meditation, and breathing exercises—all grounded in real-world caregiving experiences and over a decade of expertise in yoga and meditation.

Read more from The Cancer Caregiver Newsletter

Self-Preservation The Art of Micro-Moments: Finding Calm in 30 Seconds You don’t need hours of self-care to reset your mind. Sometimes, 30 seconds is enough. When anxiety takes hold, use micro-moments to shift your energy. 👀Close your eyes and take three deep breaths.🤲🏼Rub your hands together to create warmth and place them over your heart.🎶Listen to a familiar song that brings back a comforting memory.🕯Smell something calming—a candle, essential oil, or fresh herbs in your...

Caregiver Guilt

Self-Preservation Embracing Guilt-Free Caregiving As a cancer caregiver, it’s easy to feel like you need to be "on" all the time, always focusing on the needs of your loved one. But in the midst of constant care, it’s easy to forget that you need care too. Unfortunately, when you do take a moment for yourself, you may find yourself overwhelmed by guilt. It’s that nagging feeling that you’re being selfish, or that you should be doing more for your loved one. Here’s the reality: guilt is a...