Lightly Toasted, Golden Brown, or Burnt to a Crisp?
I know I talk a lot about taking breaks when you need them. But let’s be honest, we can’t always take as big of breaks as we want. Being a part of the sandwich generation is a balancing act – it demands caring for growing children and aging parents. And it’s not something you can just take a two-week vacation from.
According to an AARP study on caregiver mental health in the U.S,
“More than half (56%) of caregivers report that the role makes it difficult for them to care for their own mental health” (am I seriously quoting AARP right now?).
You get squeezed between meetings to update a parent’s care plan, and selling old cars and houses. Meanwhile, coordinating rides for a child’s activities or jobs. And still trying to do work every day. So how do you make sure you get a break from this metaphorical panini press?
Dance It Out
You may not have 3 days, or even 3 hours, to take off. But what I like to do is take 3 minutes to belt out a really good song. I sing and dance and act as silly as possible. And for those 3 minutes - things aren’t that serious. And I am able to release the tension and stress that I’m feeling at that moment.
Tell your Team
On weeks that are particularly bad, communicate with your team. A strong team wants to help. As long as it doesn’t become every week. This workplace support could be the catalyst for a new efficiency solution or to set someone up for a promotion. And you can be ready to have someone else’s back when they need it.
Phone a Friend
I also use my home-life support network to lean on. I’m incredibly grateful (and lucky!) for my husband and my sisters – they’re the ones who help me keep all the balls in the air and provide the much-needed comic relief at those pivotal moments when you just have to laugh.
Burnout is definitely a risk of being a part of the sandwich generation. But don’t discount the 3-minute dance breaks and asking for a little bit of help. These little tricks can be what lets you tackle the week ahead.
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