A midlife crisis is an ordeal for a person and his loved ones. It should be considered as a temporary phenomenon. The article provides a definition of the crisis, its features and symptoms. Practical recommendations will help people experiencing this condition and their immediate environment to go through this period without fatal losses.
Midlife crisis is a type of spiritual crisis that occurs at the age of social and physical maturity. In its manifestations, it is similar to the crisis of the meaning of life. The difference is the age characteristic. Think about the meaning of existence in any period of life.
What is a crisis
This is a state when previously acquired life strategies and patterns of behavior, as well as worldview principles lose their relevance and stop working. Attempts to live in the old way are doomed, and only exacerbate its manifestations.
Who is prone to midlife crisis
More often, they are quite successful, wealthy people of both sexes. They have achieved high status in social and personal life. Decently coped with providing for the family and raised offspring. A well-established life is characteristic, a constant sphere of activity and interests.
Symptoms of a midlife crisis
A growing feeling of joylessness, apathy or depression, and even melancholy. All previous life, with its achievements, loses its meaning. It seems to a person that he is a robot and did not live for himself, slavishly performing duties in relation to others. Familiar surroundings and work, cause boredom and irritation. Efficiency decreases, general condition suffers, sleep is disturbed. Psychosomatic disorders (pain in different parts of the body, malaise) and neurotic manifestations can be observed. They are associated with trying to force yourself to return to your old life.
What causes such symptoms
1. Hormonal changes in the body entering the final phase of its existence. This is often accompanied by increased libido (attraction to the opposite sex). Desire to feel young.
2. Completion of the biological human program. Children grow up and become independent. Parents who are overly fixed on the life of their offspring, after their separation, experience a feeling of emptiness and uselessness.
3. A sufficiently high income leaves a lot of free time, relieves the stress of the bio-survival system. Not everyone is able to fill the vacated space, because used to live intensively and fight for existence.
4. Decrease or absence of the sexual component with the usual marriage partner.
5. The predominance of economic relationships, over mental relationships, in the family and the close environment of a person.
Typical mistakes made by people experiencing such a crisis.
1. An attempt to change everything. The most radical decisions involve selling a business, moving to other places, and breaking off relationships with family and friends. They are perceived as fetters that interfere with a happy life. As a result, loss of status and financial problems.
2. Creation of new families with young partners. Many see in such relationships a return of meaning, a spirit of youth. The cycle repeats and the person falls into the same dependencies as before, but with different characters. At the moment of falling in love and raising strength, for a while a feeling of well-being comes. But the consequences are dire. A short-term rise, followed by a decline. The usual, stable and reliable old relationships have been destroyed. And new connections turn out to be more painful and complex. The difference in age turns into a difference in interests and needs. The feeling of age is aggravated, jealousy and discontent grow.
3. Abuse of alcohol or other psychoactive substances. The euphoria and unconventional behavior associated with them creates the illusion of joy and fun. However, this short-term excitement turns into severe depression, loss of authority, loss of health.
How to survive a midlife crisis without loss
1. To know and understand that this is an age-related process associated with emotional and physiological restructuring of the body.
2. With an increase in symptoms, take a vacation and go to quiet corners of nature (fishing, hunting) or another long voyage (to yogis in Tibet).
3. Get away from old stereotypes of behavior, and acquire new spiritual needs. Engage in personal growth, attend trainings, gain new knowledge.
4. When falling in love occurs, take a sensible attitude to its manifestations, and do not behave like a "mad elephant" destroying everything around. You can get all the sensations without warning and traumatizing loved ones. Knowing for sure that they are finite.
5. Any spiritual practice is beneficial, especially qigong, wushu, yoga and others.
Advice to the relatives of a person in crisis.
1. Great patience and understanding, despite the unpleasant and frightening manifestations.
2. Consider this condition as temporary and painful.
3. Attend therapeutic support groups.
4. Look for new points of contact, arouse new interest, support spiritual searches.
5. Do not do hasty, emotional actions leading to the destruction of the family and everyday life.
In conclusion, it should be noted that a crisis is a kind of painful condition. And like any such state, it ends with healing. The difficult period passes and ends with a feeling of maturity and peace. New spiritual interests prevail over carnal needs, and life takes on meaning again. It turns out that no one is to blame for anything, and the death of the old ego gives rise to new feelings of happiness and well-being. Only their source changes - it is contained within every human being. A great truth is revealed - joy in the very living of life. It's so short.
