Midlife women provide over 60% of unpaid caregiving labor in the U.S., often supporting both aging parents and growing teens. This “sandwich generation” stress isn’t just emotional — it’s physiological. Studies show that women in caregiving roles experience: 34% higher cortisol levels Twice the rate of burnout symptoms Increased inflammation markers linked to heart disease Higher rates of headaches, digestive flare-ups, and sleep disturbance But women rarely talk about the body cost of being “the responsible one.” What can help: Scheduled micro-breaks of even 5 minutes reduce cortisol. Delegation — asking siblings or partners to take over one task weekly — decreases burnout by 23%. Walking outdoors lowers inflammatory markers. Therapy or support groups reduce caregiver anxiety by up to 40%. Your stress isn’t imaginary. Your body is carrying a load that entire systems depend on — and it deserves care, too. #CaregiverHealth #MentalHealth #WomensHealth