THE SANDWICH GENERATION

It’s important to know how to care for yourself when you are also the caretaker of someone else – or more than someone else. There are many people who care for their children as well as their aging parents; they are part of what is called the “sandwich generation.” They’re “sandwiched” between two generations who are need help.  Along with raising children and helping their parents, these caregivers may also be juggling part or full time jobs.  Doing the math—that leaves little to no time for themselves.  If you find yourself in this position, read these tips from Mental Health America to help you cope with these pressures:

Be Organized—make a to-do list of realistic priorities and goals that need to be done.

Stay Healthy—get enough sleep and eat a healthy diet.  Also, exercise whenever possible, even if that means taking a ten minute walk around the block, exercise is known to decrease stress.

Do the Things You Enjoy—it’s important to remember the things you love to do.  Whether you find comfort in reading a new book, watching a movie with your family, or inviting friends over for some take-out Chinese, find time to make yourself happy.

Ask For Help! — Don’t be afraid to ask for help when times are rough.  People are usually more willing to help than you might expect. 

Talk to your Human Resources Department at Work— the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is something you should ask information about if you haven’t yet.  This allows up to 12 weeks a year of unpaid leave for family caregivers who meet certain requirements. Visit here  for more information on FMLA.

For a full list of tips on coping, visit here.  Also, this article from CNN.com is a great resource for the variety of situations and solutions that someone in the “sandwich generation” may come across.