Let’s talk about the midlife crisis in women!
Oh yes, a midlife crisis isn’t exactly someone’s cup of tea, but it’s part of our lives, and the best thing we can do is learn to deal with it. I get it. It can be hard; it’s like being on a rollercoaster you can’t get out of.
At first, you’re hyped and everything seems fun, easy, and lovely, and then, all of a sudden, you’re no longer in control, you don’t know what to do, everything is black and white, you’re angry, and you feel hopeless.
That’s how tricky a midlife crisis in women can be, but together we can learn how to deal with them. You might not even know that you’re in a midlife crisis because you can’t understand yourself. You have no idea if you’re a bit depressed or simply tired, if it’s the menopause hitting you, or if you just have a hard time transitioning from one phase of life to another.
Whatever you’re feeling at this moment, I want you to know that you’re not alone in this; you’re strong, and you’re going to get past these hard times. In today’s article, we’ll talk about everything you need to know about the midlife crisis in women, and I will give you my best tips on how to see the bright side (believe me, it wasn’t an easy journey for me either). Let’s get going!
What’s a midlife crisis?
Mental health experts had a hard time deciding whether a midlife crisis is a real thing or not because, at the end of the day, it’s not a mental health diagnosis. While the majority of people can tell you what that is and what their experience with this tough situation was like, studies discovered that less than 30% of Americans reported having one.
It doesn’t matter what you call this one, because a prolonged period of questioning your life and feeling a rollercoaster of emotions between the ages of 40 and 60 is rather similar in both genders.
Researchers who study human behavior realized that happiness drops as we age, and people need to find new ways to make them feel fulfilled and ready for every challenge that might come along the way.
Women go through different stages of emotions every single week, and these mood swings don’t just stop when we hit menopause; they get even more complicated.
My experience
For example, my midlife crisis hit me when I was 50, and I moved back to my hometown. I wanted to be close to my retired parents; my daughter was in a different state; I had a job where I wasn’t paid enough; and I never had the motivation to say stop and try something different.
I didn’t want to move my body; I was eating a ton of sugar; I had teeth problems; and all I wanted to do was lie on my couch and complain about how unfair life is. I hit a moment when I realized that I wanted to be there for my daughter and my grandkids, so I spent two years turning my life upside down. It was the best decision ever, and I want to share with you all my tips and tricks.
Now that you have some insight, it’s time to get this party started and talk more in-depth about the midlife crisis in women. Buckle up!
1. Start journaling
A midlife crisis for women is not the same for everyone. Some might feel depressed because they went through a divorce, and others don’t know what they will do with their career. Some are more concerned about the problems in their household—children going to college, not being paid enough, and so many other things.
You have to decide what the things are that make you feel bad and write them down. Grab a journal (like this one from Amazon) and put all of your thoughts on paper.
Be specific and honest, give details, analyze yourself, and write down all your fears and concerns. When they’re on paper, they’re out of your mind, so it’s easier to think clearly.
2. Analyze your values
This is easier said than done, but if you want to have a better idea of where you’re going, what you want to do, the things you’re seeking in yourself and others, as well as the things you won’t tolerate anymore, you have to spend some time with yourself. As I’ve previously said, writing these things down can help you have a clear vision, so be patient and everything will be fine.
3. Spend time in nature
A midlife crisis for women can be hard but think of it as an opportunity to get in touch with yourself, regroup, refocus, and recharge your batteries. You know what they say: out with the old, in with the new.
Researchers discovered that spending time in nature, even if it’s only for a few minutes each day, can improve your mood and make you feel relaxed and peaceful. You can go outside for a walk, visit a national park, go to the beach, stay a few days in the mountains, or simply spend a few hours in the garden, and you’ll feel better. Do that as often as you can, and watch anxiety and stress melt away.
4. Talk to someone
A midlife crisis for women can be easier if you have someone to share your experience with. You can always talk to your partner about your concerns and everything else that’s been bothering you but don’t forget to reach out to your girlfriends, because you might be going through similar things.
Believe it or not, experts discovered that being surrounded by a strong group of friends can be more helpful than talking about a midlife crisis with a family member. Discuss your problems and the things that motivate you, and do activities together that can put you in a better mood. Life’s easier when you have someone with you, isn’t that right?
5. Move your body
How often do you move your body? I’m not talking about spending hours in the gym or running 5 miles a day, but simple exercises like walking, hiking, swimming, jogging, or even a few stretches can do wonders for your physical and mental health.
Moving your body each day and doing whatever physical activity you want will release endorphins that will reduce stress, relieve pain, and improve your sense of well-being. You can get these chemicals from eating your favorite foods, getting a massage, exercising, or having fun between the sheets with your partner.
6. Write down all of your accomplishments
One of the most important things during a midlife crisis is staying positive because that’s going to improve your mental health and make you feel excited about your day.
You can do that by writing down (that journal comes in handy, right?) all the things you accomplished throughout your life, such as having a wonderful career, buying your dream car, investing in a home, raising your children, being a wonderful wife, whatever applies to your situation.
But don’t limit yourself to these big things. Write everything down, including all the places you’ve traveled, bad situations you survived, the plans you turned into reality, places you’ve volunteered, and everything that made you strong and the person you are today.
Since a midlife crisis can be difficult to survive, knowing and acknowledging everything you’ve accomplished until this point can help you feel encouraged to move forward, and it will give you a quick confidence boost.
7. Find your purpose
Humans need a purpose to function, to feel good, and to have a reason to wake up in the morning. When you’re in the middle of a midlife crisis, depending on how severely you’re affected by this or not, you might tend to think that you no longer know what you are doing and everything is in vain.
Stop right there, take a step back, and think about your deepest desires—the things that would make you jump straight out of bed when thinking about them. Maybe you want to invest in a business idea you’ve always had, but you never took the chance to do it, or maybe you want to transform your house and make it your top project. Or even, who knows, you want to be the greatest grandmother in the entire world.
Whatever your desire is, think about it, visualize it, and act every day as if it’s already yours. Every single step in the right direction counts, and when you find your purpose, your perception of everything is going to change. It might not be easy, but the results are worth it.
8. Dont neglect self-care
Women tend to care about everyone around them, such as partners, children, grandchildren, careers, houses, family needs, and so many other things, but they often forget about themselves. Experts once said that if you don’t take care of yourself first, you’ll have a hard time taking care of others. I couldn’t agree more with this one.
Whatever self-care means to you, make it a priority, because it’s going to set you up for success. It doesn’t always have to be something fancy, like going to the salon to get your hair and nails done. You can even find a cozy and quiet place in your home, grab a good book and a warm cup of tea or coffee, and spend time by yourself for a few minutes.
Taking a bath, putting on a face mask, blasting your favorite songs, cooking a delicious and healthy meal, watching a show, or calling a friend are all forms of self-care that will fill your cup and keep you grounded, so it’s easier for you to get past that tough midlife crisis. Don’t neglect your needs; listen to your body and mind, and everything will be fine.
Here are other tips on how to deal with midlife crisis in women! Keep reading!
9. Make dietary changes
Since I’ve said something about cooking a tasty and healthy meal, it’s time to dive a little deeper into this topic, because it’s going to make the biggest difference. You surely know that the things you put into your body can impact it in ways you cannot even think of.
When you eat too much junk food, you feel tired, cranky, bloated, and probably uncomfortable, and you won’t want to do anything. While indulging in treats that aren’t exactly good for you isn’t bad if you do it every once in a while (remember that self-care we’ve talked about?), doing it every day will have major consequences on your mental health as well as on your waistline.
Balance is key to everything, and if you want to have lots of energy, feel good, have a clear mind, and be motivated to do all the things you want to accomplish, you need to fuel your body and mind with healthy and tasty foods, such as fruits, veggies, and lean protein.
The more colorful your plate is, the happier your stomach will be. There are several recipes on the Internet you could try, and you can find a healthier homemade alternative for every fatty or sugary treat you might be craving.
Get creative in the kitchen, fill up your plate with healthy things that you enjoy eating, and little by little, every single day, you’re going to find your motivation and your power to kick that midlife crisis out of your life.
10. Get Your Zzzs in
How important do you think sleep is? The simple answer is this: very important. Getting enough Zzzs throughout the night is going to help you improve your cognitive performance, health, and mood swings.
You surely know that you’re more likely to feel cranky and unmotivated when you didn’t sleep well the night before, so why not change that? Especially since lack of sleep can lead to severe problems such as stroke, dementia, heart disease, and obesity.
Get at least eight hours of sleep every night so that your brain and body have time to rejuvenate, relax, and get ready for a new day with new challenges.
If you have a hard time falling asleep and feeling rested the next day, I recommend you get this red light sleep therapy by Gamma from Amazon, because it’s going to help you almost immediately. The technology behind this gadget was tested by scientists in several clinical trials, so give it a chance. Click here to get it.
11. Practice gratitude
Gratitude creates the perfect attitude, so don’t neglect this one because it’s going to completely change the way you see an ordinary day. Experts say that for a happier life, you should ask yourself this question every day: Are there any aspects of my life that I’ve been taking for granted?
Be honest with yourself, because there might be times when you take things for granted without even wanting to do so. Do you remember when COVID-19 entered our lives and nobody knew what to do? The lockdown took us by surprise, and we had no idea that things we found normal, such as going outside, hugging our friends, or traveling the world, were no longer possible.
Take time to think about all these aspects that make life magical and make a list of all the things you’re grateful for, such as the health of your children, the fact that you have a beautiful home, a lovely family, a green oasis in your backyard—the list is endless.
12. Turn setbacks into opportunities
When you go through a tough time, such as a midlife crisis, it’s easy to be so focused on the things that aren’t going according to plan. An easy way to overcome this is by putting everything in a positive light.
For instance, who cares that you gained a couple of pounds and don’t look like you used to when you were a teenager? Think about this as an opportunity to be creative in the kitchen, nourish your body with everything it needs, and try new ways to move your body.
Or maybe you feel like your romantic relationship isn’t as passionate as it was when you first started dating. Well, instead of arguing with your partner and feeling like your needs aren’t met, try to come up with several ways to bring you closer to one another.
You get the idea with this one: shift the perspective and think about all the ways you can turn your setbacks into changes to do better. You’ve got this, and little by little, these steps will help you overcome your midlife crisis. If none of these work and you need a professional’s help, you can always talk to a therapist to guide you through this difficult time.
Do you know any other tips on how to overcome a midlife crisis? I’m curious to know what your thoughts are, so let me know in the comments below. Your suggestions might be helpful for other readers.
Did you enjoy reading this article? If you’d like to check out something else from Golden Years Bliss, here’s a good post for you: Post-Retirement Depression: 8 Healthy Ways to Regain Your Happiness
