Middle Ground: Strategies for Surviving a Mid-Life Crisis

Between jobs, bills to pay, and others to care for, growing up isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be. However, while we tend to focus on the negatives, there are often just as many benefits to be grateful for. With a few small adjustments, it’s possible to find positivity and inspiration during a midlife crisis. Here are some ways to consider, courtesy of Shanta Hickman Counseling and Coaching.

Health

The fastest way to spark happiness and relaxation and improve our energy levels is to prioritize our physical health. There are three key areas to focus on:

• Sleep: Getting a good night’s sleep will affect everything from your mood to your creativity. Most adults need 8 hours, so give yourself ample time – switching off screens in advance and cutting out caffeine in the latter half of the day.
• Diet: Assessing your food intake will allow you to better manage any negative thought patterns. Start by bringing in fresh ingredients and cutting out processed, high-sugar, or high-fat foods. You can also look online for recipes that will help you to keep within your recommended daily amounts.
• Exercise: If you have pent-up frustration or you’re feeling lethargic, the boost you need is exercise. Those who are a little out of practice can start off with a long hike or a light jog and then work their way up to more intensive activities.

Hobbies

Starting a new hobby is something of a mid-life cliché, but pastimes keep us stimulated, energetic, and optimistic. Make sure, in the chaos of adult life, you’re not neglecting your creative impulses, and don’t be afraid to try something new.

• Creative arts: For those who have a proclivity towards creative expression, making stuff is not just important but essential to happiness. Allocate a few hours of your week towards a project or craft, you’ll feel better before you know it.
• Reading: When we start to feel adrift, books can give us new ways to look at the world, other lives to inhabit, and morals to learn from. Take some time to browse the latest bestsellers and see if there’s anything that sparks inspiration.
• Gardening: More than just a way to get outside and take in vitamin D, gardening can also be excellent for our physical and mental health. If you’re new to the practice, click here to read online resources that offer in-depth product reviews and expert advice.

Career

When so much of your day is spent working, it’s crucial to plant yourself in a work position that you can enjoy, and sometimes, that means seeking alternative employers. If you’re considering a switch, start by rebuilding your resume. To help with this, you can use a CV template. Some outlines are intuitively designed to allow you to pick from a library of professional designs, adding your own copy, photos, colors, and images.

By the time we reach our mid-lives, many of us have picked up the essential skills we could use to start a business of our own. This is made far more straightforward by the availability and advancement of technology – CRM, social media management, accountancy, design, marketing analytics, and more can be partially automated and streamlined via new software, free-of-charge or at a cheap subscription.

There’s no doubt that our mid-lives come with a host of challenges. However, whether you’re switching up your diet, getting out in the garden, or seeking a new job, there are always strategies to improve your outlook and circumstances.

Shanta Hickman Counseling and Coaching helps individuals, children, and families who are hurting, feeling stuck, or experiencing grief or loss. Call (971) 303-9868.