"Is 40 the New 20? Navigating Lifestyle Changes and Midlife Crisis in Your 40s"

Jun 11

3 min read

Have you ever woke one day to feel as though it is the same old grind day in and day out without any excitement? Ever feel as though you have reached a peak in your life, and wonder where all the time went? There may be many days where you just feel...blah, right? So, if you are over the age of 35 you may be experiencing a midlife crisis. What exactly does that mean, and why is it important to understand?

The notion of the "midlife crisis" often centers on major life disruptions such as job loss, divorce, the death of a loved one, or children leaving the home. Becoming more aware of one's own aging and efforts to compensate for it can also factor into perceptions.

There are many changes that occur as we get older, for instance there are skin changes, hormonal changes (in women), which could definitely impact sex drive and the ability to achieve orgasm. One specific change that occurs after the age of 40 is there is often a greater focus on personal growth, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence.

Understanding Midlife Crisis

Many psychologists may define a midlife crisis as an 'emotional crisis of identity and self-confidence that can occur in middle age'. For the most part, a midlife has been associated with older men who buy sports cars, divorce their wives, and begin dating younger women. Although, some men may do that it does not necessarily mean they are going through a midlife crisis. Further more, both men and women discover their primary roles in relationships are changing (i.e., parents getting older, children moving out). A midlife crisis often involves mood irregularities such as anger, anxiety, irritability, or sadness. There may also be additional changes that include weight gain, sleep disruption, and withdrawal from your regular routine.

Lifestyle Changes After 40

There are positive changes that can be made to one's daily routine to manage negative thinking patterns and/or physical symptoms. First of all, it is important to appreciate getting older with a different mindset. Have gratitude daily for all the blessings in your life, stay physically active, maintain a healthy diet, and get enough sleep. It is also important to find an activity or become involved within your local community, which allows you to continue to have a sense of purpose. Try new things!!

Relationships and Social Circles

Remember to always nurture relationships with family and friends. Continue to build new social connections and find support systems. I know as we get older, it is not always easy to meet new people, but sometimes we have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. I believe this is how we middle age adults transition into the next phase of our lives. When we are uncomfortable, we learn so much about ourselves and grow even more into the best version of ourselves.

In conclusion, it is important to be self-aware of what you are feeling and how you are implementing self-care into your daily routine. Self-care is especially important as we get older. I am 46 years old and have recently begun to recognize that all I do is work and pay bills, which has not given me much joy. Over the last 5 months, I began to try new things (like this blog..lol) and have been staying connected with my friends, while also taking trips to the local art museums and becoming a member. I implore anyone who is struggling with a midlife transition to keep the faith and live your best life!

We are not promised tomorrow.

Note: For more tips on how to navigate your midlife journey, click here to explore our dedicated resources!

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/human-kind/202210/midlife-crisis-whats-really-happening