If You’re in the Sandwich Generation, Here’s What You Need to Remember

Being part of the sandwich generation means you are supporting two ends of the caregiving spectrum, children and aging parents. As essential as it may be, it can stretch your time, energy, and emotions beyond breaking point. You may see many people your age worrying about their skincare regimes and surface-level problems, and you may find that the multiple responsibilities you’re having can leave you torn between competing priorities, but it’s critical to find steadiness amid the stress. Here is what every member of the sandwich generation needs to remember to stay resilient and grounded:

Make Use of What Is Available to You

Trying to handle everything by yourself is not sustainable, and this is why respite care can be a lifesaver. Respite care provides temporary relief, which allows professional caregivers to step in so you can rest, recharge, and focus on other parts of your life, including short breaks so you can not just regain your energy but also your perspective. 

We can all feel like we’ve just got to keep going, but when we do this, we seldom stop to take stock in how everything is affecting us. We have to remember that self-care is not selfish, and these pivotal pauses prevent burning out so you can give quality care, rather than run on empty.

Accept the Fact You Can’t Do It All

One of the hardest truths is to embrace that perfection is not possible, even if everything is on your side. You may feel guilty about not spending enough time with your parents or your kids, or that something always has to give, but when you accept your limits, you realize something very important: you’re not actually weak, but human. 

Identify what is important and let go of the things that are not urgent. Saying that everything is good enough instead of perfect flips the script that can transform your mental and emotional well-being.

Protect Your Time

You may look at your calendar and see work, family needs, and appointments, but this means your personal time can vanish. You’ve got to guard at least a small part of your day just for yourself, no matter how insignificant it may look on the outside. 

Reading before bed, going for a quick walk, or enjoying your morning coffee in peace and quiet are simple rituals that create a sense of control and calm in a life that can often be run by everyone else.

Plan for the Future

One of the biggest issues in being a caregiver in any capacity is that we focus on one day at a time, and it’s easy to see why we do this, because everything can feel urgent, but we also need to remember that the long term is a mode of thinking that can help everyone. 

We need to set aside time to talk with our parents about healthcare, finances, or living arrangements before it gets to the emergency, and you feel overwhelmed. Likewise, you need to consider your own long-term goals and retirement plans. A roadmap allows you to feel more in control.

This situation can be challenging, and above all else, making sure you look after your mental health and physical health is key to this entire equation because caring for yourself is one of the greatest acts of care you can offer others.