For some people, they're so caught up in friendships, romantic relationships, family dynamics and careers, that before they know it, their birthday candles have grown to a number that was unfathomable to them a decade or two before. While this is a celebratory experience for many, other individuals face aging and the transition to midlife with pessimism and dread.
Here are six truths about midlife that most people learn too late, Lachman shares with Parade, and why these specific insights make such a genuine difference now, as well as in the future. You might be surprised by one or two of the points in her list...
6 Truths About Midlife Most People Learn Too Late
Lachman wishes more people learned the following insights earlier in their lives:
2. Midlife is the golden hour for creativity
Our 40s and 50s are actually a great time to think big and make some creative swings."Midlife is our cognitive sweet spot—it’s where our experience meets our capability," Lachman tells Parade. "We examined patent records for U.S. inventors and found that the number of inventions peaks in early midlife. That makes perfect sense. Because while your memory isn't quite as sharp as it was at 25—or you're a bit slower processing new information—your experience, your accumulated knowledge, your wisdom—those skills are still climbing."
"Midlife can be a particularly stressful time given all the demands," Lachman says. "When you successfully navigate a stressful situation—maybe you handle a difficult conversation with your boss, or you support a friend through crisis—you're not just solving that problem. You're building confidence. You're creating evidence for yourself: 'I can handle hard things.' Next time stress hits, you've got a track record. You're immunized. The key is recognizing that each challenge you overcome is strengthening you for the next one."
4. Your personality and identity aren’t set in stone early in life
Don't overlook this one."In midlife we have a lot of responsibilities for others in the family, at work and in the community," Lachman says. "It may feel like everyone is counting on you to step up. That can be overwhelming with little time for yourself. Yet, caring and concern for others is a midlife specialty. And it can bring not only satisfaction and a sense of purpose, it also helps with your health and longevity."That being said, it's important to fill your own cup as well."One word of caution though," she continues. "It is easy to get caught up in supporting others, but you also need support. A balance between giving and receiving support is important for your health and well-being."
6. What happens in midlife doesn’t stay in midlife
"One’s health in midlife has a long reach into later life," Lachman explains. "Blood pressure in midlife is very important for cardiovascular and brain health in later life. Physical fitness, weight and sleep habits in midlife all predict health outcomes years later. It is important to nip health problems in the bud during midlife to avoid problems later on."
"You would have to be hibernating or living on another planet if you didn’t know that physical exercise is important for your health," she says. "Yet, only about a quarter of adults in midlife engage in the recommended amount of exercise: at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity such as brisk walking and at least two days a week of activities that strengthen muscles."
"Exercise has remarkable benefits for physical, cognitive and psychological health," she explains. "For example, those who engage in regular exercise have reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, frailty, dementia and depression, and they live longer. There are many different types of exercise that are beneficial. It doesn’t have to involve expensive equipment or joining a gym. The earlier you start the better."
Related: The One Thing Registered Dietitians Are Begging You To Stop Doing if You Want More Energy Over 50
Simon Element
"It’s a golden chance we should be exploiting," Lachman tells Parade. "It is a time to make sense of the past and sow the seeds for the future. If you view midlife through the lens of opportunity rather than loss, everything changes for the better."
Midlife is primetime
Believing that "midlife is primetime" is "the fundamental reframe I hope people will embrace," Lachman explains.
Up Next:
Related: 6 'Midlife Resets' That Actually Work, Backed by Psychology
Source:
Margie Lachman, PhD, professor of psychology, director of the Lifespan Lab at Brandeis University and author of Primetime: A New Vision for MidlifeHence then, the article about 6 truths about midlife most people learn too late according to a lifespan development expert was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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