Ten Tips for Staying Sane at Midlife! by Rachel Green

1. Talk to other people in midlife
   Share your stories and gain support. Don't keep it all to yourself. You may be thinking you are going crazy and instead you may find out that what you are going through is normal!

2. Ask yourself the right questions
   In order to find the right answers ask the right questions. For example, some good questions to ask include: "How can I find a sense of inner peace and contentment no matter what the state of my body?" "What are my strengths and how can I nurture them?" "How do I want to spend the second half of my life?"
   

3. Look inward for the answers.
   Part of Midlife is a turning away from our external search for happiness through possessions, qualifications, and money and finding our inner truths and sources of contentment. It can be the start of an important spiritual journey.
   

4. Look after your ageing parents
   If you are lucky enough to still have your parents around - don't let them die without your really knowing them. Being with and caring for our parents in their later years can bring many rewards. Tap in to their wisdom and learn from it. They can often see things from the persepective of a 70 or 80 year old that we can't see at 50 or 60.
   

5. Understand the stages of change
   There are different stages of change. There are endings, transitions and new beginnings. It can help to recognise which stage you are in and to know what can help you to deal with each stage. The transition stage, for example, is a stage where anxiety is normal and where we can feel lost and confused. Just knowing that this is normal can help us stay sane.
   

6. Re-evaluate your life.
   Midlife is a time for re-evaluation and not just for moving from one year to the next to the next.
   

7. Celebrate each year you get older.
   Look on each new birthday as a promotion from God!! Be thankful and rejoice that you have had the gift of another year that some people have not had the chance to have.
   

8. Learn relaxation techniques
   I have found meditation an invaluable aid to maintaining my sanity throughout midlife. If you are interested in meditation there are details of a loving-kindness meditation and on meditation centres and classes LINKS-Meditation. I've been told loving-kindness meditation is good for the skin and reducing wrinkles, by the way! There are many relaxation techniques available - what matters is not which one you choose but that you use methods to keep you calm, content, refreshed, and energised. The Feldenkrais Method has also been found by many to help them relax and feel more at ease.
   

9. Laugh.
   Laughter helps us relax and keep perspective. If nothing else it can help reduce sour looking wrinkles!

10. Be Proud of Your Age
    Many of us get bogged down in not liking our age. Yet would you really swap lives with a teenager? No, you can't take the benefits of your life experience back with you! Think of all the things you know now that you didn't know when you were a teenager. Think about all the skills you have now that you didn't have as a teenager. Think about the wisdom you have collected as a result from ageing! Reminding yourself of the benefits of being older can help you stay sane.
    

Further information

There are inspiring stories on coping with Midlife in the book:"Midlife and Happiness"
I can also come and speak to your group on issues for people aged 40 - 60 years Rachel

Please note:
The information in this article is in no way a substitute for proper medical advice or psychological counselling. The tips are only of a general nature - please seek face-to-face professional help for your individual needs.

May you find contentment at Midlife.
Best wishes,
Rachel Green
PO Box 344, Kelmscott, Western Australia 6991.
Phone: +61 8 9390 1188. Fax +61 8 9390 1199
E-mail: