You're Caring for Someone Else. Who's Caring for You?
- melissajlong
- Apr 23
- 2 min read
By Steph Ackerman, Owner, Steph’s Kitchen & Wellness: Empowering older adults in Northern VA & DC to thrive independently by providing nourishing meals, mindful movement, and wellness coaching – in their homes.
If you're caring for an aging parent, spouse, or loved one, I want you to know something: You need support too.
The Reality of Caregiver Burnout
78% of caregivers experience burnout, with many describing it as a weekly or even daily occurrence
87% report stress and anxiety, with more than half experiencing it at least weekly
64% report high emotional stress and 45% report high physical strain
Nearly a quarter report difficulty caring for themselves
If these statistics resonate with you, you are not alone.
What Happens When Caregivers Don't Care for Themselves
When you're focused entirely on someone else's wellbeing, your own wellness often falls to the bottom of the list:
You skip meals or grab whatever's quick (not nourishing)
You don't move your body: no time for walks, stretching, or exercise
You hold your breath: literally forgetting to breathe deeply
You ignore your own health needs: physical, emotional, social, spiritual
Sound familiar? You can't pour from an empty cup. And eventually, burnout catches up with you.
What Support Can Actually Look Like
At Steph's Kitchen & Wellness, I offer in-home wellness visits designed for older adults living independently in Northern VA and DC. My services support caregivers too, not just your loved one. During each home visit you can expect:
Two hours of meal preparation right in your kitchen, so there's healthy food ready to go all week. Personal chef services include meal planning, grocery shopping, cooking, and cleanup. No extra work on anyone's part. (Learn more about what to expect from in-home meal preparation)
30 minutes of mindful movement including breathing exercises, light yoga instruction, and stretching adapted to whatever feels right that day. It's the kind of practice that brings you back into your body after running on adrenaline.(Learn more about the benefits of mindful movement)
30 minutes of 1:1 health & wellness coaching focused entirely on YOUR needs across all 8 dimensions of wellness: emotional, spiritual, intellectual, physical, environmental, financial, occupational, and social. (Learn more about the benefits of health & wellness coaching)
You Deserve Support Too
Caregiving is one of the hardest jobs there is. It's physically exhausting, emotionally draining, and often isolating.
If you're a caregiver in Northern VA or DC and ready to support your own wellness, learn more at www.stephskitchenandwellness.com or by scheduling a free consultation call today.
Taking care of yourself isn't selfish. It's what allows you to keep showing up for the people you love.
About the Author
Steph Ackerman, Steph’s Kitchen & Wellness
✓National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) ✓Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200) ✓Certificate of Culinary Arts ✓ServSafe Food Manager Certification ✓20+ Years of Nourishing Others
Contact:
Website: www.stephskitchenandwellness.com
Phone: 703-727-4624
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