Myth of the Midlife Crisis
A Canadian psychoanalyst called Elliot Jaques invented the word “Midlife crisis” based on his study of creative geniuses as well as people who had overwhelming anxiety that there wasn’t enough room in their lives to pursue their aspirations (https://youtu.be/pnl5LUiAfd0). Researchers have attempted over the last 20 years to find evidence of a broad-scale midlife crisis. Just 10% of the population is claimed to suffer from such a situation (Nick, 2019) with majority of them recovering most people consider a “mid-life crisis” actually a mid-life tragedy or loss such as missing a partner, relative, work, or health care.
One of the prevalent myths is that a sudden awareness triggers midlife crises that youth ideals and ambitions are discarded to render the goals more manageable and more realistic (Maia, 2011). Through the course of recognizing oneself, young adults aspire to fulfill specific goals and principles. However, for the rest of one’s life after young adulthood, personality stays fairly unchanged. As for goals, new ideas typically modify the original goal and are in line with the core principles of the individual (Nick, 2019). A person may focus, for example, on making an academics commitment from publishing articles in the mid-20s first as a graduate student, but then in the 1950s through teaching graduates. This does not necessarily adjust the principles; it is only the method that changes.
The definition persists in Western culture, particularly in its applications to men. The early proponents of the idea of the midlife crisis portrayed an image of a man as a “late bloomer” who stumbled without thinking until they received a mid-life wake-up call (https://youtu.be/pnl5LUiAfd0). Recent studies show that men are as conscience-reflective as women, and neither gender is susceptible to age-related crises.
Concerning the belief that midlife spurs mortality fears, scholars’ claim that the pacing has ceased. People tend to think about death in their teenagers when they know that it will happen to them and then again in late life when the time comes (https://youtu.be/pnl5LUiAfd0). In the middle of life, people are too tired to think about their deaths.
It is a myth that during mid-age, one has a peek of later life thus may make sufficient changes ‘physically, emotionally, and socially (Nick, 2019). For instance, supporters of midlife crisis believe that the first symptoms of chronic disease emerge during, thus, a stage where much can still be done about it. However, people undergo improvements and life changes during their lifetime, not just mid-life.
However, research of mid-age divorce has shown that hundreds of people enjoy their silver anniversary as intensely as they were in the first place (Nick, 2019). There are a couple of tricks to recover from the slowdown. Firstly, couples need to add novelty to the routine. Secondly, they must strive to be a team. Research shows that those that do so, as opposed to those that worry of “I” and not “we,” are happy and less likely to become divorced after 20 years (Maia, 2011). Additionally, focusing on creating confidence and trust, so that your spouse can become your best friend and comforter rather than a source of anger helps restore joy and avert a divorce. Research demonstrates that not only does it save the family, but it also transforms the brain.
At midlife, one may think that the only physical skill left is to click or slide into the office chair remotely. There should be nothing more than the facts. Research suggests that although muscle mass decreases when someone ages, one can slow down these changes by increasing their heart rate a few times a week (Maia, 2011). Exercise is an antidote in an aging brain. Studies also have shown that exercising three days a week has improved the brain field of learning and reversed the brain clock by an average of one year.
All the changes that happen in midlife are not extraordinary. With a positive mind, one can adjust to the changes and live a healthy life as they did in youth time.