Role blending brings risks.
The sandwich generation, as this situation is called, is exhausting not only for the caregiver.
How to eliminate these risks?
If you are dealing with caring for older family members, such as your own parents, and you are also responsible for your own family, including your career, there is a situation called sandwich generation. This situation brings many challenges and requires a particular balance of roles and demands.
The risk of the sandwich generation is the feeling of getting lost between different roles and forgetting one's own needs and desires. But how can this be prevented? By actively working on self-awareness and controlling your own limits.
There are other risks in struggling with role intermingling:
Burnout. Constant pressure from different directions can lead to burnout when caring for parents, children or in a relationship. Signs of burnout must be recognized early and support and rest sought.
Loss of self. Many sandwich-generation people tend to forget their own needs and interests. Taking care of yourself is important for maintaining health and happiness.
Communication breakdown. Communicate openly with your loved ones and make your needs known. Even if it's sometimes beyond human capacity and there is no space to do so. Don't be afraid to ask for support from family, friends or professionals.
Asking for help is not a weakness, but rather a show of strength and reason. Seeking support from others, whether it is in the form of family, friends or professional advice, will help you to maintain your physical and mental health. Be aware of your limits, seek support and don't be afraid to talk about your emotions and needs.
