Having and going through a midlife crisis is no fun. We’re cranky, sad, frustrated, and borderline ready to snap at any given moment. We know what’s going on; we just don’t know what to do with it or how to manage it effectively.
If you don’t have the tools to help you deal with a midlife crisis, it can get ugly. I’m not sure when I went through mine or if I’m even done. I had a full hysterectomy at 51 so maybe shortly thereafter it hit me? No clue.
I did, however, manage to get through my midlife crisis rather unscathed and no one died. This is good!
Anyway, here are 13 ways to deal with a midlife crisis so you don’t lose your marbles and don’t kill anyone.
13 ways to deal with a midlife crisis
Feel your feelings
It’s important to feel the feelings, acknowledge them, determine if there was a trigger or not, and breathe through them. We can’t brush our feelings under the rug or hide them because we will never effectively be able to handle them if we just keep ignoring them.
Don’t pretend they never happened. Feel them and release them.
Journal
Writing is so therapeutic, yet so few people do it! When we write out our feelings, they no longer harbor inside of us and steal our joy.
Get yourself a journal, and the next time you feel anger, anxiety, or any other toxic feeling coming on, grab your pen and write it out.
Rediscover Your Passions
Sometimes, it’s a good idea to dive back into doing the things we love to do.
For many of us, we’ve put our passions and hobbies on the back burner while we worked, raised a family, etc, but it might be time to revisit those passions and breathe some life back into them.
Maybe you loved painting or butterfly watching or singing. Start doing those things again.
Meditate or Deep Breathing
Find a quiet spot away from whatever or whoever is stressing you out, and practice some deep breathing. You can also choose to put on some zen music and relieve your stress in a quiet place in our house.
Be here now is powerful because it works. Excuse yourself if you’re around people, and just go be…alone.
You can find plenty of good meditation videos on YouTube or Insight timer to help you get started.
Make Small Changes
This is actually a really good time to take inventory of the things and people in your life and see what needs to go and what you can do to make things better. But start small.
Get rid of or incorporate one thing at a time. These little changes add up to big results. And yes, it could mean getting rid of toxic people too.
Talk to a Friend
Call up a friend next time you feel anxious or frustrated or having a midlife meltdown. Chances are, she knows exactly what you are going through and can most likely calm you down or offer tools to help you chill out.
Sometimes, it’s just nice to vent to a good friend too!
Daily Gratitude Practice
When we stop and take time to be grateful for all we have, we tend to forget our troubles.
Practicing gratitude daily is a great way to bring more peace, harmony, and blessings into your life. Write out the things you are grateful for daily, or just say them out loud daily.
Either way, gratitude works.
Get Outside
Put on your walking shoes, grab a bottle of water and whatever else you need, and get outside.
There’s something to be said about the healing benefits of Mother Nature. She’s not wrong. Even a simple walk in the park is going to help you tremendously!
Learn Something New
Let’s face it: by the time we hit our mid-40s or early 50s, life can feel boring and mundane.
Why not check out some online classes or head to your local college to see what they have to offer for fun classes? Learning something new will give you a sense of purpose and help build self-confidence!
Start an Exercise Routine
If you’re not already exercising daily, now is a really good time to start. Exercising regularly and getting enough sleep can help you feel physically and emotionally better.
Put the time and energy into caring for yourself so you have the strength and clarity to tackle other aspects of your life, especially your mood swings.
Seek Professional Help
If you feel your mental health is declining, which can happen to some women, seek professional help.
There’s no shame in it, and they will be able to give you the help you need. If that isn’t in your budget, there are many free hotlines you can call for help.
Change Your Daily Diet
They say you are what you eat. So, if you’re fueling your body with junk food, your body and mind will revolt. Trust me on that. Find a good daily diet that will work for you.
Substitute that soda for cucumber/mint water. Grab a handful of walnuts instead of a donut. Your body and mind will thank you.
Have a Me Day
We just don’t treat ourselves enough.
Book a “me day” once a week, whether it be a visit to your local spa or giving yourself a mani/pedi with some soft music, candles, and a glass of your favorite beverage.
Go love yourself up some, girl!
final thoughts on dealing with a midlife crisis
Having a midlife crisis is not the end of the world, though it can feel like it some days.
It can most certainly control your life if you don’t control it first. These 13 tips are very effective in dealing with a midlife crisis and helping you find more calm throughout the day while you get through this.
