How To Deal With Midlife Crisis: Steps You Can Take For This Life Transition - MalaysiaCaregiving Support
How To Deal With Midlife Crisis: Steps You Can Take For This Life Transition
Going through a midlife crisis is common as you age. Recognizing the early signs is important to treat health concerns. Find out more in this article!
This article is a content collaboration between Malaysia and All Things Health Malaysia.
What is Midlife Crisis
Nowadays, it is common for individuals to go through a midlife crisis as they age. However, it is important for us to stay prepared for physical changes during this period that make us more susceptible to illness.
What is a midlife crisis? A midlife crisis is a common experience for older adults, often characterised by feelings of weariness, annoyance, impulsivity, or sorrow despite reaching a significant milestone in life. This period of transition can involve a struggle with identity and self-confidence and is generally more psychological than physical in nature.
However, individuals aged between 40 to 60 are also at risk of developing chronic health conditions associated with ageing. In midlife, various physical changes can occur, and taking preventive measures can help minimise the risk of age-related medical illnesses.
What Are The Possible Health Concerns?
Eu Yan Sang physician Ignatius Ooi suggests that some of the most prevalent age-related health conditions includehigh blood pressure,high cholesterol,diabetes, andgout. Recognizing the early signs can help individuals make the necessary lifestyle changes to maintain their health and well-being.
As a person ages past 40, they may experience presbyopia, which causes farsightedness. This means that they may have difficulty seeing objects or words up-close.
In younger individuals, the lenses in the eyes are soft and flexible, which allows them to adjust their shape to focus on objects at various distances. However, as a person ages, the lenses become more rigid, which impairs their ability to see things up-close or perform tasks that require close vision.
Eating too much fried foods can lead to excessive weight gain.
- Excessive increase in weight
After the age of 40, both men and women tend to experience weight gain more easily. This can be attributed to a decrease in the resting metabolic rate. They may also become less physically active, leading to a loss of muscle mass and an increase in body fat.
Moreover, as individuals age, their ability to regulate their appetite naturally weakens, which can lead touncontrolled eating. Frequent consumption of fried foods and fatty meats can result in weight gain and an increase in cholesterol levels, which are risk factors for hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease.
As women approach 40, they undergo a natural transition to perimenopause, which is the phase preceding menopause, due to a decrease in oestrogen production. This change can cause irregular or shorter menstrual cycles and trigger symptoms such as disturbed sleep, changes in bladder control, vaginal dryness or irritation, and hot flashes.
As a person ages, they become more susceptible to developing diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases.
For example, having gradually elevated blood sugar levels over time, without showing symptoms, can result in metabolic dysregulation. This leads to alterations in how the body stores and utilises sugar, as well as insulin sensitivity and fat metabolism, increasing the risk of chronic illnesses likecardiovascular diseases.
Gout is caused by the accumulation of uric acid in the joints and kidneys. It typically occurs between the ages of 40 to 60 and is triggered by the body’s inability to excrete sufficient amounts of uric acid in urine.
The onset of gout is often linked to a genetic defect of the kidneys that involves organic anion transporters, which leads to an excessive buildup of uric acid in the organs. Other factors that may contribute to gout include eating too much meat and meat gravies, drinking alcohol, taking certain medications such as diuretics and low-dose aspirin or an impaired kidney function.
Gout can cause symptomssuch as joint pain, red and swollen joints, fever, chills, and overall discomfort.
Incorporate regular physical activities in your routine and it will help to improve your mood.
Effective Ways to Manage Ageing
Experiencing emotional frustration during a midlife crisis is a common phenomenon. However, you can make small lifestyle changes that can lead to positive outcomes as you undergo this life transition.
- Alter your eating habits, sleeping patterns, and physical activity
To start a healthy lifestyle, it is important to have a well-rounded diet that is rich in nutrients, low in calories and cholesterol, and has minimal amounts of sodium and fat. It is also advised to limit alcohol intake.
Regular exercise is essential for maintaining a healthy weight. It has been shown to have many benefits, including the release of serotonin in the brain, which can lead to improved mood. Establishing a consistent sleep schedule and limiting work hours is also crucial.
- Incorporate TCM in your routine
Bu Zhong Yi Qi(补中益气) is a combination of various herbs used inTraditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)to alleviate symptoms like fatigue, indigestion, and loss of appetite. This herbal formula can be added to stews made from chicken, beef, or dumplings to enhance its medicinal properties.
Ning Shenherbal soup (宁神汤), meanwhile, can be consumed to keep your heart and mind healthy.
Acupressure pointssuch asguan yuan(RN4, 关元),zhong wan(RN12, 中脘),zu san li(ST36, 足三里), andsan yin jiao(SP6, 三阴交) can also be stimulated to improve your physical and mental wellbeing.
A midlife crisis may still occur if you are carrying a significant psychological burden that strains your body and mind. Therefore, it is important to take measures to enhance your mental and physical well-being to prevent the onset of midlife crisis symptoms and certain illnesses.
Consulting a TCM practitioner before using any TCM therapies is recommended. The TCM practitioner can help you identify the most effective and safe treatment plan for your specific health concerns and body constitution.
This article is an adaptation ofDealing with a Midlife Crisis and When You Should Start Preparing for Itfrom All Things Health Malaysia.
References
- Acenda Integrated Health.AM I HAVING A MIDLIFE CRISIS AND HOW DO I HANDLE IT?[online] [Accessed 4 July 2022]
- U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.Your Guide to Lowering Blood Pressure. [online] [Accessed 4 July 2022]
- American Heart Association. 2018.Age-Related Changes in Glucose Metabolism, Hyperglycemia, and Cardiovascular Risk. [online] [Accessed 4 July 2022]
- Hospital for Special Surgery.Gout: Risk Factors, Diagnosis and Treatment. [online] [Accessed 4 July 2022]
- AMERICAN ACADEMY OF OPTHALMOLOGY.What is Presbyopia?[online] [Accessed 4 July 2022]
- Keck Medicine of USC. 2022.Your Body at 40. [online] [Accessed 4 July 2022]
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