Sujatha Parthasarathy, Life Coach
In this day and age where life has become more materialistic, I believe that the issue of earning potential and the ability to support oneself can be a cause for worry. My personal experience of mid-life anxieties revolves around the fear of having to support myself for the next 30-40 years.
Quite honestly, stress or a feeling of crisis is but a manifestation of self-doubt and is in direct correlation with the responsibilities that rest on ones’ shoulders. Fortunately, my mantra has been ‘Life is what you make of it’. When I have those moments, I sit down, literally, and with eyes closed, paint a picture of how I would like to see myself living life 20 years from now. Once this picture is etched in my subconscious mind, I bring it up as and when I have any doubts or feel low. I have found this very simple and effective. Effective because it brings a drive into the moment and you are able to take decisions which will move you towards that dream picture. I would urge everyone to try this. Trust me — it’s very simple.”
Kannan Das, 34, Quality Assurance Coordinator
Most people his age, said Das, worry about job and financial security. Health issues such as high blood pressure and diabetes also cause him a lot of stress, he said.
According to Das, younger people have less to worry about because they are not concerned about the money flow or building a good family life yet.
He copes with mid-life stress by being social and going to community centres to meet other people who share the same culture and traditions. “You feel comfortable there and it offsets the tension in your life for a few hours.”
Rafeek Ali, 40, Mechanical Draftsman
Ali said that middle aged people deal with a different range of issues such as health concerns, loss of loved ones, financial hardship, and retirement.
He deals with middle-age stress by eating healthy, getting enough sleep, reading books, and maintaining good friendships.
“Allow your mid-life to be a time of creative change. Although it may be painful at first, it can be your greatest opportunity for having the life you want or gaining a sense of peace,” Ali advised.
— Sara Alghfeli is an intern with Gulf News
