I am at the tail end of the generation known as the baby boomers, a generational group that is crossing the over 65 threshold at a rate of about 10,000 a day. We talk a lot about the millennials, the boomers and even Generation Z. Yet, there is a whole demographic cohort, in their late 30s through their early 50s, who comprise a generation that feels the squeeze of having children, at the peak of their career expectations, and now caring for aging parents. Generation X has become the sandwich generation.

In fact, according to Pew Research Center analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data, about 30 percent of U.S. adults have a child younger than 18 at home, and 12% of these parents provide unpaid care for an adult as well. On average, multigenerational caregivers provide more than two and a half hours of unpaid care per day.

This circumstance is not a new phenomenon. There has always been a sandwich generation – a group that feels the pressure of career, children, and aging parents.  What makes this especially difficult and different is the sheer number of individuals who are aging and, quite frankly, in need of support.  Oh, and then there is the pandemic.

Like a hurricane – we don’t really know the impact until after it blows over and often the damage assessment takes quite some time to fully appreciate.  The pandemic we are experiencing may have lasting implications on the sandwich generation. Many of the jobs lost disproportionately are impacting the service industry with a predominantly younger age demographic. College does not seem to make a lot of sense for many right now. The highest risk group for complications from COVID-19 are the elderly, creating an even greater stress on the sandwich generation as they worry and care for their parents.

The added caretaker responsibilities alone can wreak havoc but combining those responsibilities with the pandemic has the potential to take a financial, physical and emotional toll. Though there are many challenges faced by the sandwich generation, there are many who have shared stories of making the best of the situation by growing closer to their parents and children, even creating opportunities for their children to develop unique bonds with their grandparents.

If you are, however, one of those who are experiencing the feeling of having the candle burning at both ends as you manage children and parents, I want you to know that you are a hero. You are part of a generation that has not received much media attention but is the backbone to our society and you are needed. Because you are needed, you must take care of yourself. Like the overused metaphor of putting on the oxygen mask first in a distressed plane so that you can be conscious to put on the mask for others (not to bring up masks but the metaphor works) you must carve out time to create a healthy lifestyle.

Easier said than done. I know. But that does not change the fact that it is true. As a public health and preventive medicine physician I know how important our nutrition, exercise, and sleep are to our overall energy level and ability to stay mentally focused.

The main point is this.  You matter…a lot.  So, please take care of yourself and thank you from two generations.

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Kent Bradley, M.D., MPH, MBA, is the Chief Health and Nutrition Officer at Herbalife Nutrition and chairman of the Herbalife Nutrition Advisory Board. Dr. Bradley is responsible for nutrition and product education and training for the Company, including developing educational tools and learning platforms for distributors to ensure they receive ongoing training to deliver a best-in-class customer experience tailored to each individual’s needs.