Ice cream parlor after burnout: Monika Münchberg's new beginning in Wismar

Ice cream parlor after burnout: Monika Münchberg's new beginning in Wismar

A fresh wind is blowing through Wismar: Monika Münchberg, 52 years old, has fulfilled her dream after more than 20 years in the nursing profession and opened an ice cream parlor in Wendorf. The step into self-employment came after a period of exhaustion and health problems that accompanied her to the point of burnout. “It was high time for a new beginning,” she says enthusiastically as she presents her ice cream creations. Her husband Thomas, who works in sales for ice cream products, actively supports her. The ice cream parlor is called “Monis Eistraum” and finally opened its doors in March.

Monika's decision was not only due to her former job, but also to general dissatisfaction with the conditions in care. More and more nursing staff are complaining about pressure, a lack of staff and the constant risk of burnout. According to an analysis by the AOK Federal Association, nursing staff in Germany are affected by burnout almost twice as often as other professional groups. Mental illness has been increasing for years, creating an alarming situation, especially in a job that already involves high demands and stress. Employers are called upon to create better conditions for a healthy working environment in order to reduce stress and increase employee motivation. Measures such as optimized shift planning and psychological support could help significantly here, according to pflegelounge.de.

Embracing family and innovation

Monika lives with her family in Wismar, having originally come from Bremen. Her husband Thomas and their children are firmly integrated into the newly founded family business. While Thomas works on sales, the children take care of the creative implementation of the ice cream parlor. Daughter Sandra, who had to give up her dream job as a vehicle painter due to health problems, is now passionately dedicating herself to producing new ice cream recipes. Instead of ready-made ice creams, the ice cream parlor offers handcrafted delicacies on the counter, including five vegan varieties and creative treats for dog owners, such as a delicacy made from veal liver sausage and low-fat quark.

In the ice cream parlor, customers can choose from a total of twelve types of ice cream, including popular flavors such as cookies, yogurt-cherry and cream semolina with elderberry. Even though the opening fun with a special flavor, the curd ice cream with roasted sesame and honey, didn't quite hit the Wismar people's nerves, Monika remains optimistic. “We listen to our customers,” she says. This confirms the recurring practice that the well-being of nursing staff, similar to that of company founders, is often directly linked to the satisfaction of their customers.

Regeneration journey

The ice cream parlor offers visitors a welcoming atmosphere. The opening times are also family-friendly: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. And even if Wednesday is a day of rest, Monika is sure: “Everyone can relax here with an ice cream.”

Monika Münchberg's decision to take this new beginning is an impressive example of how important it is to take care of your own health and pursue your passion. More and more people, especially in the nursing profession, should consider recognizing their limits and taking the necessary time for regeneration. This not only increases the quality of life, but also makes the field of work more attractive in the long term, as aerzteblatt.de shows.