7 Ways To Handle Midlife Crisis as a Woman

Aging is a beautiful thing. However, it can also bring about a bit of anxiety especially when one becomes middle aged.  Midlife issues may begin to arise including relationship challenges, health concerns, taking care of aging parents, loss of loved ones, teenage children, children moving out, children who do not move out, job loss, financial hardship, retirement concerns… in fact, the list is goes on and on.

Now, for a woman, especially a mum, the pressure mounts more.  Your looks become a concern, coping with the workplace politics, etc become even more complicated to handle sometimes.

PsychologyToday, offers an insightful view on mid-life crisis, as it is stated that women who find themselves in this situation are suffering from what is known as mid-life quest for identity, which may last well into their 50’s and 60’s. The publication notes that finding a friend, a good friend or group, helps to make the load a bit lighter, making it easier to handle the process.

To better handle this phase of your life, ask yourself these poignant questions. You can also ask these questions amongst a group of friends going through the same phase. Having a support group of people experiencing the same challenges can even help you cope better, as you all figure out the best course of action together.

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Questions that should be asked include:

• What do I feel I should have done by this time in my life?
• Is there something more important and fulfilling that I can focus on now?
• What do I want more of in my life? What have I imprisoned that is crying to be free?
• How can I ensure my commitment to living a significant life?

After answering these questions, one can apply these steps and help to treat or handle the stress so it does not degenerate into depression:

1. Nurture yourself. Taking time off for yourself can be a big change, allowing you to put events and challenges in view. Turn off the cell phone, television and computer, send the children away for a holiday, go for a vacation with or without your partner.  Pursue fun and nurturing activities that will allow you reconnect with your old self.
2. Identify sources of stress. Figure out the source of your stress, cut out what you can. If you find that you are too committed to activities or people that are giving you the reason to be stressed, cut them off. Write down the results you want to achieve and create a step-by-step action plan with accompanying deadlines.
3. Exercise. Physical activity will help relieve stress and elevate your mood. A 20-30 minute walk around the neighborhood will help. Fitness is very essential for mental and physical health as we age.
4. Eat a healthy diet. You’ll feel better. You’ll think clearer. Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish and nuts.
5. Get enough sleep. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep. If not, see your doctor or learn stress relaxation skills like yoga, deep breathing or meditation. As a person ages, sleep becomes more essential to keep you mentally and physically stable.
6. Accept help when it’s offered. Believe it or not, this can be one of the hardest things to do, especially during a midlife crisis. Chances are you already feel vulnerable and wasted, relinquishing responsibilites or accepting that you may not be able to handle some things  can take its toll on you, but accepting help does not mean you’re a failure, it shows wisdom.
7. Keep a sense of humor. Learning to see the humor in life can help you get through a lot of situations. Laughter can be the best stress buster on this planet. Learn to find humor as you experience challenges throughout the day. Laughter actually reduces your level of stress hormones and can increase your immune system. Make laughing an exercise.