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22 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com JULY AUGUST 2015 goodOLE DAYS The Resilient Sandwich Generation Theyve been dubbed the sandwich generation middle-age people caring for aging parents while still taking care of their own children hence sandwiched between two genera- tions. According to the Pew Research Center one out of every eight Americans age 40 to 60 is raising a child and caring for a parent at home. And those numbers are only expected to rise as our population ages. Interestingly the increased pres- sure is coming pri- marily from grown children rather than aging parents according to Pew Research. Young adults have suffered most from the coun- trys recession and slow recovery. These grown children are staying longer in col- lege marrying at a lat- er age and continuing to live at home while they are unemployed or semi-employed. Given continued high unemployment rates for younger workers and longer life expectancy of the aging population these fig- ures can be expected to rise. Despite this the survey suggests that adults in the sandwich generation although feeling more rushed are just as happy with their lives as are other adults. Multi-generation living is still a viable option for some of the current sandwich generation who are supporting dependent teens and tweens as well as their own parents. Developing skills and maneuvers to min- imize stress and maxi- mize good feelings is a must for these people. The usual common sense rules like be kind to yourself accept help eat well sleep enough take breaks exercise etc. are well documented. Less obvious but perhaps the most important skill to carry the sandwich generation through tough times is resilience. The University of Michigan Depression Center comprehensively states that resil- ience is how we cope with and adjust to the stresses frustra- tion and setbacks of everyday life. Strategies for building inner strength and bolstering emo- tional reserves include changing your attitude modifying your expectations and empowering yourself. Dont forget to set lim- its on yourself and others employ all family members to par- ticipate as best they can keep all plans and expectations realis- tic and above all keep a sense of humor. The cathartic effect of humor has been well noted. In fact Dr. William Fry emeritus associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Stan- ford University has stated that laugh- ter is similar to a mild workout. Dr. Cynthia Thaik of the University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine sug- gests many ways to incorporate more laughter and joy in your life laugh at your own foi- bles a smile and a chuckle go a lot further than criti- cism find the humor in a bad situation laugh over things you cannot control recall funny mo- ments from the past and since mirth- ful laughter is con- tagious surround yourself with fun positive people. All of these lower blood pressure blood sugar levels and heart rate. Further endor- phins kick in and act as natural painkillers and mood boosters. She adds find a reason to laugh everyday. As Charlie Chaplin once said a day without laughter is a day wasted. by Jeanne Glick StaffWriter Happiness is an attitude. We can either make our- selves miserable or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same. - American Artist Francesca Reigler parent at home. And those numbers are only expected to rise - - er age and continuing to live at home while they are unemployed or semi-employed. Given continued high unemployment rates of humor has been well noted. In fact Dr. William Fry emeritus associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Stan ford University has stated that laugh ter is similar to a mild workout. Dr. Cynthia Thaik of the University of California Los A day without laughter is a day wasted -Charlie Chaplin All you can change is yourself but sometimes that can change everything. - Hollywood producer Pretty Woman Gary W. Goldstein Expectations were like fine pottery. The harder you held them the more likely they were to crack. - Author Brandon Sanderson