If you’re part of the sandwich generation — trying to get your kids successfully out of the home while tending to aging and possibly ill parents — you need to take stock of your own health. Here are some tips from Harris College of Nursing and Health Science faculty that will help you through the challenges:

• Take breaks, and allow others to help and share responsibilities.
• Eat well. Exercise. Drink plenty of water. Get enough sleep. (Catnaps may help).
• Seek help from your support network — family, friends, religious leaders and health care professionals.
• Join a caregiver support group, which is a great place to vent feelings and gather information and practical advice.
• Don’t bottle up emotions. A good laugh or cry goes a long way for tension relief.
• Remember that fatigue and guilt are common feelings.
• Eliminate stressful outside commitments but keep interests and relationships that provide positive distractions.
• Learn as much as you can about the aging process and your family member’s condition.
• Continue asking health care providers specific questions until you get complete answers.
• Research the best treatment options and care.
• Realize you are doing a good job or at least the best you can and possibly better than many in such a difficult situation.
• Don’t try to be responsible for providing total care 24 hours a day alone at home.
• Recognize your limitations and that there may be a time when you need to make a change in care giving arrangements.