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How Can Women Deal With Midlife Crisis

Bidisha Mukherjee
A midlife crisis is a reality, often ignored and denied for a long time by women. But they do come around and finally accept it. Here, we give you a brief overview of the symptoms, causes, and ways to get over this condition.
A mid life crisis can be described as an emotional state, in which a woman focuses mainly on the thought that, half of her life is over and she could not achieve as much as she had expected from herself.
Normally, women in the age group of 35-50 years, suffer from this condition. The feeling could prevail for five to ten years. A lot of factors like the death of a parent, divorce, major health issues, or grown up children leaving home, are capable of triggering this feeling.
It is not just the women who are subject to a midlife crisis, the men suffer too. Although going through the same experience, the way in which they respond emotionally, mentally, and physically to changes, is different.
Women mostly associate this phase with boredom or fear of mortality. They feel that they are stuck up in their daily routine and desperately seek to get out of it. So, many of them choose to quit their jobs to spend more time pursuing their hobbies. At this point of time, they wish to fulfill all those dreams which they couldn't when they were young.
They obsess over their physical appearance and try hard to retain their youthful looks. They may get a tattoo, try to dress up in the same way as they used to when they were young, or may just treat themselves to the latest hairstyle.
They have a hard time coming to terms with the natural process of aging. They may consider options like plastic surgery, face lifts, or teeth whitening to make themselves look young again.
They are hit with a strong urge to feel alive and so, they participate in activities that they have never tried before, ever. They might leave on a vacation, explore new locations, or try things like belly dancing, bungee jumping, or scuba diving.
Midlife crisis is characterized by unique and distinct symptoms in every individual case. Some  common instance are:
  • Deep feelings of depression, anxiety, and frustration for unknown and unexplained reasons.
  • Blaming oneself for underachieving.
  • Pressuring children to great extents to excel in academics, sports, extra-curricular activities, etc.
  • A sense of restlessness.
  • Loss of interest in sex.
  • Stepping out of marriage.
  • Starting new friendships and relationships; Ending relationships and friendships.
  • Alcohol or drug abuse.
This condition is brought on the self by the self, and no other. So, no one, but you, can help you out of this. Firstly, try and analyze the thoughts that bother you. Try to decipher the exact cause of your boredom and unhappiness and then find out ways to get over them.
Try to communicate and talk about your feelings or fear to your partner or a trusted friend. When you talk it through, you may realize that the problem is not as big as you assumed it to be.
Lead a healthy lifestyle, which includes eating nutritious foods and exercising regularly.
Shift your focus on positive thoughts and make conscious efforts to discard the negative ones. Don't make hasty decisions regarding major changes in your life like changing your job or walking out of marriage. You might regret later. If the glitch is a health issue, consult your doctor for treatment. Prioritize your life as per your requirements.
Midlife crisis is not a bad thing. It's just our mind reacting in a certain way to things that cause unrest and dissatisfaction in us. In fact, it can turn your life around for the better and help you rediscover yourself in a new light. Having gone through this phase, many women have emerged as better human beings and achieved more than they ever imagined.