A midlife transition is a natural phase in life that most people will experience. This transition occurs when both men and women reach a certain age and begin to question their life decisions and face their own fatality.
In the AOL Health article “Coping with Midlife Stress” by Mary Kearl, psychologists noted that a midlife transition could start in the mid 30s and run to the end of the late 60s. Typically, this phase can span from five to 10 years, but if it is extremely problematic in an individual’s life, it may last as long as 15 years.
In contrast, a midlife crisis is a period of self-doubt that often shows itself as self-destructive behavior that may include substance abuse, divorce, extramarital affairs, ending a career, or the decision to buy lavish items.
Midlife Transition or Midlife Crisis
A WebMD article by Elizabeth Heubeck “Midlife: Crisis or Opportunity” reported that while physiological changes occur during midlife, there is some disagreement among experts as to what type of influence declining hormones have on a midlife crisis. Men lose an overall drive and stamina as their sex hormones decrease whereas women lose estrogen. However, as women lose estrogen, testosterone becomes more dominant causing them to feel more energized and ambitious.
Furthermore, a midlife crisis for women often occurs at a time when their children are leaving home and women feel their responsibilities to their families are declining as well. Therefore, women often find themselves feeling a renewed sense of self during this phase in their lives.
Although a midlife crisis can lead to depression in both men and women, men are often at greater risk because they tend to fail at making real connections in relationships. For this reason, they are often unable to express emotions associated with a midlife transition and work through feelings of inadequacy, failure, invincibility, and uncertaintly about their future.
The good news is that a midlife transition can become an opportunity instead of a crisis, depending on how an individual chooses to confront these issues.
Transition with Grace
In Kearl's article, mental health experts stated that the feelings of boredom and restlessness associated with a midlife transition do not have to become a crisis. Men and women entering this phase in their lives can acknowledge rather than deny the issues associated with midlife and address questions about finances, relationships, health and career before they feel trapped and find it necessary to make a rash decision.
For example, instead of destroying long-term relationships, middle-aged men and women can make more of an effort to invest in their marriages by spending quality time with their partners and spending less time at work.
In addition, men and women can address concerns about aging, health, and body image by becoming more active physically and maintaining a healthy diet. The article “Embrace This Fresh Start” by Gail Johnson offers helpful tips on diet and exercise for people in this phase of life.
Other suggestions for facing a midlife transition include learning stress management skills, seeking spirituality, meeting with a counselor, focusing on strengths, and realizing that it is natural for a person to reflect on the aging process.
It is worth noting that while most people will go through a midlife transition, not everyone experiences a midlife crisis. An individual entering a midlife transition can face questions about the future and mortality head on and emerge from this phase with a greater appreciation for life.
