Midlife Crisis: Overcoming Doubts & Embracing Yourself

Blogs26 Aug 2024

Psychoanalyst Elliott Jacques was the one to coin the term ‘mid-life crisis,’ for the inner turmoil people face between their 40s and 60s. This crisis can be about several spheres, including health, identity and choices. Elliott Jacques during his studies found that people post-30 went through depressive phases that brought about lifestyle changes as they mulled over and worried about their lifespan. These days, the term ‘mid-life crisis’ is thrown around often and is associated with people making hasty decisions and out-of-the-ordinary choices in their midlife. But this crisis goes beyond that.

In this article, we’ll try to explain what a midlife crisis is, how it affects men and women and the ways to overcome it.

Understanding Midlife Crisis

The midlife is a point of transition. You finish one half of your life and wonder if your choices, particularly your health choices align with the second half of your life. This period of transition can turn into a crisis if there are unresolved developmental issues and challenges. Midlife sees a significant change in interpersonal relationships such as watching children grow older, parents becoming frail, marriage, divorce or death of a spouse etc. Other life changes include managing values, rediscovering your identity, changing goals, and retirement plans, building savings and so on.

Having lived a few decades and built a life of education, employment and family, the prospect of things changing, can cause inner turmoil and discomfort. Some worry about getting sick, some compare themselves to their friends and younger acquaintances, some regret past actions and some obsess over their appearances. All of this and more can cause dissatisfaction and low mood levels, leading to a crisis.

Most adults who experience a crisis in their midlives face them in three stages.

1st stage

Adults begin to feel vulnerable and some events in their lives act as triggers, making one more likely to face an emotional crisis.

2nd stage

This is a climax stage where the trigger event can make one introspect on not only the event but also previous traumas, current problems and other stressors, which make matters worse.

3rd stage

This is when one feeling these intense emotions uses or lacks coping mechanisms. Having good coping mechanisms such as having a strong support system, being fit and following a routine can help you cope with this crisis better. However, having a lack of such coping tools can lead to more damage.

Common Signs of Midlife Unrest

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), one of the most common signs of an emotional midlife crisis is clear and sudden changes in behaviour. Some other signs include

• Neglecting personal hygiene
• Changes in sleep
• Weight gain or loss
• Poor work performance
• Mood fluctuations (feelings of sadness, anxiety etc.)
• Withdrawal from activities
• Dissatisfaction in relationships
• Caring obsessively about one’s appearance
• Attempts to recapture the essence of youth through some actions

Embracing Your Midlife Journey

Feeling lost, sad or confused about your midlife can be normal. So, how do we not lose hope and overcome these heavy feelings? By making active changes in your life.

Prioritising Physical Health and Nutrition

Exercise can help you boost your overall health, aid in weight management and promote happy chemicals in your brain, which can in turn make you feel more positive and stronger. Exercising regularly can build your resilience and give you the energy to do more in your midlife! Additionally, eating healthy and prioritising fresh and nutritious ingredients can give you immense health benefits and help you improve your health. Taking control of your exercise and diet can be a great way of reducing your worry over sickness and ageing!

Nurturing Relationships

It’s natural to feel like you are backed up into a corner and withdraw from people and events. However, speaking about your issues with your support system and spending quality time with loved ones can help ease your worries and help you get through this phase.

Managing Stress

Midlife can be a point of several stressors playing in your mind. Find ways to manage and reduce stress through mindful activities such as journaling, meditation and yoga. You should also consult with an expert if you feel the need for professional help.

Reframing the Narrative

Challenge negative stereotypes about ageing and midlife. Instead of looking at your midlife as half already lived, look forward to your second half and put effort into making it even better! During this period self-acceptance and kindness for oneself are extremely important!

Exploring New Interests

The midlife is a time to explore new hobbies and pursue passions that may have been put on hold. Doing these could help reshape your identity, make new connections, and build different perspectives. So if you had a passion or a hobby you couldn’t do before, pick it up today!

Conclusion

The midlife which can be demarcated as the ages between 40 and 60 can typically entail many transitions in all parts of life. Men and women alike may become more prone to facing a crisis at this stage due to such transitions. Some common reasons for this can be worrying about health, ailing parents, children growing up and leaving homes, retirement plans, death of loved ones, divorce etc. These may cause emotional stress and lead to some common signs of a midlife crisis like changes in sleep pattern, neglect of hygiene, weight gain or weight loss, withdrawal from relationships and events etc.

While a midlife crisis is not something that everyone faces, it is a common issue and there are a few ways to cope with it. You can exercise regularly, eat healthy and do mindful activities to manage your weight, improve your strength and health and reduce stress. Additionally, you can challenge negative stereotypes, take control of your narrative, indulge in hobbies and get professional help to make things easier for you.

And if you are looking for a like-minded community filled with other middle-aged people, trying to prioritise their health check out Right Shift! We not only connect you with other people in the same boat as you, but we also have many free tools like our health score calculator and free diet plans to push you on this path of healthy ageing. So, remember, while your midlife can be a period of change, there are ways to manage it and come out of it stronger and happier!