From Midlife Crisis to Midlife Bliss: Finding Balance in Midlife

Midlife transition… This is a time in our lives that can be both exciting and overwhelming, and can make us feel off balance.  We’ve been through early adulthood’s growth and learning, and now we’re in our 40s, 50s and 60s, with even more ahead.  We’ve got some experience under our belts, but there’s still so much to discover.  If we haven’t prioritized ourselves to this point (which is so common), we might need to rediscover our identity, purpose and connection with the world in order to find balance at midlife.

Midlife brings a lot of stressors

We may experience a variety of stresses at midlife, that might make us feel like we are starting to face a “midlife crisis”.  Well it doesn’t have to be a crisis.  It’s important to first realize the many stressors that we experience, including:

• Caring for aging parents or other family members who require assistance with daily living activities.
• Navigating changes in our own careers, including job loss, burnout, or a desire for a new challenges.
• Raising teenage or young adult children, which can be emotionally and financially demanding.
• Dealing with menopause and other hormonal changes, which can cause physical and emotional symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and insomnia, among many others.
• Coping with chronic health conditions that may become more prevalent as we age, such as diabetes, arthritis, or heart disease.
• Maintaining healthy relationships with our spouses or partners, which can require effort and compromise as both of us navigate our own personal growth and changing needs.
• Feeling societal pressure to maintain a youthful appearance or meet certain cultural expectations related to gender, career success, and family responsibilities.

These stressors can vary from between women and may be influenced by factors such as socioeconomic status, cultural background, and individual personality traits.  It can make us feel like we are on a never-ending rollercoaster.  It’s no wonder we feel off balance!

So, how do we find balance in midlife?

How do we find balance during all of this?  Well, it’s easy to do, but yet it’s not.  It’s important for us to prioritize self-care and seek support from friends, family members, and healthcare providers as needed to help manage these stressors and maintain our overall health and wellbeing.  Here are a few tips to help you navigate midlife with grace and humor:

1. Prioritize self-care.  This is more important now than ever before, and this is in the number one position for a reason- it is THE MOST IMPORTANT to help you find balance in midlife!!  Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and taking time for yourself. This might mean going for a walk, getting a massage, or curling up with a good book.  Find one extra thing to do each day that is just for you, and makes you happy and/or keeps you healthy. Yes, you absolutely can find the time!

2. Stay connected with friends and family.  It’s easy to get caught up in our own lives and forget about the people who matter most to us.  Make time to catch up with old friends and make new ones.  Surround yourself only with people who make you feel good about yourself.  Limit contact with those who don’t, even if they are family.

 

3. Exercise regularly.  This doesn’t have to mean hitting the gym every day.  Find an activity that you enjoy, whether it’s hiking, dancing, or swimming.  Exercise not only helps keep our bodies healthy, but it’s also a great stress reliever.

4. Consider adding mindfulness and/or meditation into your life.  Mindfulness is the practice of bringing our attention to the present moment, without judgment or distraction.  When we practice mindfulness, we train our minds to focus on what is happening right now, rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.  See my posts on Mindfulness: How Mindfulness Can Change Your Life  and The Easy Way to Practice Mindfulness Every Day

5. Embrace change.  Change can be scary, but it’s also an opportunity to grow and learn.  Don’t be afraid to try new things, whether it’s a new hobby or a new job.  You never know where life might take you.  If you’ve been thinking about trying something, now is the time!  See my post: Coping with Changes at Midlife.

6. Find humor in the little things.  Laughter truly is the best medicine.  Don’t take life too seriously.  Find the humor in the everyday moments, and don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself.  Check out this great post: How to Laugh More – 22 Ways to Bring More Laughter into Your Life by Marelisa Fabrega.

 

7. Find gratitude in your daily life.  Gratitude is so important to help us see the positive in life.  And with gratitude, comes abundance.  See my post: The Surprising Benefits of Gratitude for Your Health

Midlife can be a challenging time, but it can also be an exciting time of growth and self-discovery. With a little self-care, a strong support system, and a good sense of humor, you can find balance in midlife. So, go out there and celebrate all that midlife has to offer!

 

Take care,