AXA Health research finds the sandwich generation are significantly impacted by lack of ‘me time’

The sandwich generation gets just eight days a year to themselves – three times less than those without any dependants enjoy. 

A poll of 2,000 adults looked at the nation’s caring responsibilities and found those who have both older and younger relatives depending on them are most hard-pressed when it comes to spare time and looking after themselves.

Those in the sandwich generation manage just under four hours of their own time a week - the equivalent of eight days a year - but spend 11-and-a half-hours a week doing things for others – amounting to 25 days annually.

In comparison, the typical adult without any caring responsibilities finds themselves with an average of 12-and-a-half hours of free time a week, equating to 27 days a year or the equivalent of almost a whole month.

Almost half (48 per cent) of the sandwich generation admitted they have less time to themselves than they’d like, which 67 per cent believe has impacted their mental health and 66 per cent feel the same about their physical health.

The research, commissioned by AXA Health as part of its Cover That Cares campaign, also found 44 per cent of the sandwich generation always put others before themselves.

But 36 per cent believe they as a group are overlooked by society.

The health insurer teamed up with best-selling author, poet and mental health campaigner Hussain Manawer to write a poem capturing the realities of caring for ourselves and others.

Hussain said: “It was exciting to work on this poem and bring to life how the sandwich generation feel, while giving care a voice.

“Going through the endless tasks they must face from changing bedsheets and washing dishes to taking relatives to medical appointments or helping children through their exams, all while trying to find some time to care for themselves reiterated how overwhelming it is.

“Care doesn’t have to be a big gesture, sometimes a quiet hug can say more than words and a text message showing an understanding between people going through the same thing is all someone could need for a little boost.

“I’ve first-hand experience of carrying the burden of care, which made working on this poem deeply important to me and I hope helps share a message for anyone who feels that way.”

The research also found 14 per cent of those in the sandwich generation can’t remember the last time they did something for themselves.

A quarter of them even consider food shopping (26 per cent) and doing household chores (22 per cent) as ‘me time’ purely because it is time spent on their own.

In an ideal world, they said their time alone would consist of relaxing (50 per cent), reading (42 per cent) and exercising (36 per cent).

Further spare time would ideally be spent with their partner (50 per cent), on family walks (46 per cent) or going to the cinema with loved ones (36 per cent).

The impact of less ‘me time’ than they’d like has resulted in 51 per cent of the sandwich generation feeling stressed, 45 per cent struggle to switch off and 37 per cent don’t have time for their own hobbies.

This has left 37 per cent believing they’d be generally happier with more free time.

The mental load of organising their lives is cited as a barrier to having more time to themselves by 27 per cent.

Similarly, 16 per cent admitted they feel guilty about having ‘me time’, but only nine per cent of the other group understand this feeling.

To have any time for themselves, the OnePoll data found those in the sandwich generation have to book it well in advance (26 per cent), compared to just 11 per cent of those without responsibilities.

Key support for this group was cited as having someone to ‘share the load’ with (45 per cent), simply having a listening ear (42 per cent) and a physical gesture such as a hug (40 per cent).

Others said having people around them who understand what they’re going through helps (35 per cent), as does a supportive text message or call (28 per cent).

Heather Smith, CEO of AXA Health, said: “It’s clear the sandwich generation are more stressed than ever, with a third of them saying they need more support and we’re keen to help remove another burden where we can.

“This group juggles caring for multiple generations and leaves little time for themselves, which as the stats show, has impacted both their physical and mental health.

“Care isn’t always seen, but felt, be it a small gesture such as making a cup of tea, listening to one another, or giving someone a lift to an appointment.

“Hussain’s poem represents this and brings to life how those in the sandwich generation are struggling and how something as small as an understanding text message can make a difference.

“Sometimes all people need is to be seen and heard and we hope our members know we’re here to listen and support them when they need us.”