For some people Middle age is a delicate time in your life, which can cause the popular midlife crisis
It is not at all unusual to reach this moment in life and begin to question yourself, for example, What are my goals now? Have I really enjoyed life so far? What do I want from now on?…
Asking yourself these questions doesn’t have to be a bad thing, the problem arises when we stay stuck in these thoughts and don’t move forward. So, the midlife crisis can become an existential crisis.
Related article: “Existential crisis: when we do not find meaning in our lives”
Leaving behind the existential crisis of this stage
Not finding meaning in our lives during middle age can make us tremendously unhappy. Therefore, this is a time to get to know yourself better and to accept that life continues its course.
Now, this does not mean that we have to stop being young. But at forty the mentality of 20 no longer works, because as we get older, we become more aware that at that age we still had a long way to go. Now we have matured and gained experience. So this learning should also help us to continue being happy, adapting to this new situation.
Tips to be happy after 40 if you are a woman
At this age, reality hits us hard We begin to realize that all our dreams have not come true (and that’s okay). We begin to reevaluate our expectations to fit the present reality. We think about what our retirement will be like and we worry about wasting time on things that are not our priority. Come on, this moment in our lives can be very stressful.
But, Is it possible to be happy at 40? What can we do to leave the midlife crisis behind? Below we give you some tips to continue enjoying your life at this stage:
1. Take care of your health
Taking care of your health will make you feel good and will bring you many benefits both physically and psychologically Eating well will allow you to have energy throughout the day and will help you take care of your health.
Furthermore, doing physical exercise is one of the keys to being happy at all stages of life, because the continued practice of this activity will also increase your energy levels and reduce your stress levels, among many other benefits. And going to the gym a minimum of three times a week or going for a run also helps you release brain chemicals such as endorphins, which will make you perceive reality in a positive way. Don’t forget that Practicing yoga will also provide you with psychological benefits and will help you improve your mood
Did you know that physical exercise also has a beneficial effect on your mind? Learn about these advantages in our article: “The 10 psychological benefits of practicing physical exercise”
2. Analyze your objectives and goals
As mentioned in the previous lines, Unfulfilled expectations and dreams can be a cause of frustration during middle age That is why, in order to achieve greater emotional well-being, it is important to analyze our objectives and goals and adapt them to our reality.
This does not mean that it is not possible to carry out some of our dreams and we must give up everything that motivated us in the past. But it is important to detect those unrealistic thoughts that can cause us discomfort. Without a doubt one of the keys to personal development and a very useful strategy at this age.
Recommended article: “Personal Development: 5 reasons for self-reflection”
3. Pay attention to your interpersonal relationships
Spending time with family and friends is one of the keys to being happy that we should always keep in mind, also after 40. In fact, a study published in the book The Longevity Project states that interpersonal relationships are essential to living a long and happy life. So don’t leave aside the important people in your life.
4. And… surround yourself with positive people
Research by BMJ Group concludes that Your own happiness depends largely on the happiness of the people with whom you have constant contact, that is, happiness can be contagious. Surrounding yourself with positive people and having contact with those people who exude a positive and enthusiastic attitude has a positive effect on your emotional health.
5. Make peace with the past
The grudges of the past can drag you again and again to those bad moments experienced This is not good for your well-being because it will only make you not at peace with yourself. To be happy in your 40s, you need to let go of resentments and live in the present in its entirety.
6. Accept that you are in your 40s
Acceptance is the best therapy to be happy If living with grudges is bad for your emotional health, living stuck in the past, that is, in your 20s or 30s, does you a disservice. Accept that 40 is a great stage in your life, full of new experiences and good times.
7. Develop new interests
And of course, middle age is an excellent time to develop new interests. Maybe you have never thought about trying yoga and its benefits or attending salsa classes and now you feel like it is time. 40 is an excellent age to continue learning continue growing and continue being happy.
8. Exercise your mind
It is important that you keep your mind active in your 40s, because this will have a positive impact for years to come. Make reading a habit or stay informed with the newspaper instead of spending hours and hours in front of the television.
9. Maintain a positive attitude
Much of your happiness depends on you, on your optimism as the brave woman that you are Negative thoughts will turn you into a sad and unmotivated person. In other words, a paralyzed person. But having a positive attitude will help you continue feeling young and energetic, and keep moving. So adopt a positive attitude because it will benefit you.
10. Live for yourself
You may now be at a time when your children are not as dependent on you, because they are getting older. You have invested a large part of your life in them, so that they grow up healthy and prepared for the future that awaits them. Now is the time to treat yourself It’s time to think about yourself again and focus on what really fulfills you in this life.
11. Enjoy the small things in life
We live in a world where we are connected to the internet practically all day and we continually think about our expectations. We rarely disconnect and stop to think about ourselves or simply enjoy life.
YesWe tend to think big and this may not help us be in the here and now, with what surrounds us at this moment and with our own emotions and sensations. Witnessing a beautiful sunset, lying under a starry night or taking a walk on the beach, far from our busy pace of life, can bring us many benefits. Life goes by pretty fast, if you don’t stop to observe it, you can miss it.
