Mid life crisis is perceived by many as an emotional period of doubt and anxiety sometimes experienced by people who realize that their life is already half over
Various obvious bodily and psychological changes are evident between the ages of 40 to. Carl Jung, a psychologist by profession was the first to identify it as a normal part of the maturing process. Most people will experience some form of emotional shift or transition during that time of life. A transition that might cause you to take stock of where you are in life and make some adjustments to the way you conduct your life. Most seem to come through the process smoothly without making major life changes. Midlife crisis for some may bring in complications and an emotional turmoil which may lead to depression and may need clinical attention.
Some people may experience a range of mid life crisis feelings such as:
- Boredom. They may loose interest in people and things which was not the case during their younger years.
- Sadness sets into life and activities which give them a high and happiness for many years may now seem distant.
- Confusion sets in as to who they are and where they are going
- Decision making will seem a tedious task now
- One will start questioning the choices, they have made in their lives and the validity of decision they made years back.
- For some a need for adventure and change will set in.
- Sometimes these crisis arise due to external factors. Factors aiding these crisis may be due to stress in ones life or some childhood issues that were never dealt or debts and retirement crisis which add up to the mid-life problems. Sometimes a death of a parent or family member can cause grief, which is difficult enough to come to terms with, as also having to cope with the feelings of a midlife shift. The loss combined with the mid-life crisis is just to bewildering and overwhelming. The other classic case of a mid-life crisis is an avoidant personality. Person with this trait will run away from the problems he comes across rather than facing it. He may just avoid getting into conflicts in his personal relationships, has feelings of inadequacy, is an emotionally distant personality with low self-esteem. He has deep fear of feeling of rejection and shame.
Now let me suggest some positive tips to overcome the feeling of mid-life crisis and turn back the clock. Many people see a mid-life crisis as a harmless event in an older man’s life. Maybe he starts counting his pennies and becomes stingy despite a good bank balance, or indulges in extravagance - for example buys a sports car, gets hair transplants, but it doesn’t usually progress past that. But the ultimate truth of such crisis can be a real family crisis, not to mention traumatic for the children involved.
Reinvent your marital relationship: Celebrating a few jubilees and it is only natural for couples to become detached, and they begin to drift apart emotionally. This is a type of setting that is a breeding ground for a midlife crisis. During this time, people should seek out new adventures, and do things together to reinvigorate their relationship.
Focus on positives instead of regrets and weakness.Many people who are going through a mid-life crisis find themselves depressed because of they could not achieve their goals they had set for themselves many years back. These people should focus instead on their strengths, and try to build off of them. For example, if an insurance agent having reached middle age feels trapped and unfulfilled, he should use his skill set to start his own business.
Get fit!The only sure-shot way to good health and erase boredom and depression is to get into the right eating habits and a generous helping of exercise routine daily. These habits not only extend the life span of an individual but also brings in feel-good factor in oneself.
Look forward instead of backwardsOne of the most common symptoms of mid-life crisis is longing for younger days and past loves. While it is normal to look back fondly on such events, it is not healthy to let these thoughts overcome current relationships. Individuals going through a midlife crisis are encouraged to make special plans for the future, and focus on all the amazing things that are still in the offing.
Increase your social circle Sometimes, people can find solace by talking to others from the age group or peer group. Speaking openly about their thoughts and feelings does not come naturally to all people, but doing so helps individuals in the midst of a midlife crisis feel less isolated and better about themselves.
Get counselingMidlife crisis treatment programs help such people and their families get through this difficult period. Counseling provides healthy solutions for the challenges that people in their 40’s and 50’s face every day.