Midlife Crisis After Stroke
Strokes can occur at any age, and many occur in people during their midlife.
A mid-life crisis is a period of transition and adjustment, generally between ages 40-60, during which a person struggles with their own identity and self-confidence.
It often involves an individual facing their own mortality and/or the fact that their life is half over and they may not have achieved what they had hoped to do.
Although mid-life can be a time of struggle and doubt, it can also be a positive time of re-evaluation and reflection, during which new priorities are established. Here are some tips and resources from the to help you navigate this new and exciting chapter of your life.
Start with Your Mind
A good place to begin dealing with any change is your mind. Your perception of a situation determines how you will feel about it and address it. Mindfulness meditation can be helpful for staying in the moment, and acknowledging the changes that have happened recently, or are happening. Mindfulness is simply paying attention to what is happening now, how you feel, and what thoughts you are thinking. Other types of meditation may also be helpful for managing anxiety or depression that may come with mid-life.
Take Care of Your Body
It’s important to maintain your physical body with good nutrition (take a look at the Mediterranean Diet section for our website to the benefits), adequate sleep, and plenty of exercise. Find ways to spend time outdoors, whether you’re exercising, meditating, pursuing a hobby, walking with a friend, or reading a book in the park. Spending at least two hours a week in nature has been shown to reduce anxiety and promote well-being.
Seek Connection with Others
Social interaction and connection are necessary for good physical and mental health. Changes in health, employment, and family can interrupt even established friendships. Making the effort to remain in touch, or reconnect with friends and family can provide a mental health boost, as well as enhance your well-being in the moment. Although some awkwardness may be involved, it’s well worth it to push through this and seek time with others you enjoy. Stroke Survivors Australia is all about connections, so feel free to look at what connection services we provide. Our online support groups are a great place to start building new relationships and support.
Reconsider Your Career and Work
If you’ve decided you’re ready for a change in your work life, give the Adobe Resume Builder a try, best of all it's FREE. It’ll allow you to highlight your skills in a professional-looking format that will give you an edge over the competition.
