I have been inundated lately by articles about the so-called “Midlife Crisis.” Clearly it is subject very much on the minds of many, many women.
Mid Life Crisis: What is it? Is it inevitable? Is it even a real phenomenon? Or is it an invention of the media — that is, corporate advertising trying to sell us things we don’t need? (Not only do we not need these cosmetic and quasi-medical accoutrements, they are downright insulting and sometimes even dangerous.)
These writings cover the gamut of opinions, ideas, and suggestions about coping with a Midlife Crisis, ours or someone else’s. I offer them up to you to for your interest and edification.
As always, I invite you to send me your stories — experiences, advice, and inspiration to share with our community of Midlife Queens.
Midlife Crisis or Midlife Consciousness? You choose!
xxQueen Mama Donna
Midlife is No Crisis for Today’s Women
Midlife is notoriously known as a time of crisis. But today’s post-35 women are feeling optimistic about the future, making positive changes for themselves and the world around them. Women’s health expert Dr. Judith Reichman tells how to join the many women who are seizing the midlife moment and making new choices related to their health.
A new, national survey of women between the ages of 35 and 49, sponsored in partnership by the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH) and Teva Women’s Health, Inc., shows that more than three-quarters of women in midlife say the best years are ahead, not behind. Moreover, the midlife woman views this life stage as a time to reinvent herself – to do all the things she never had time for – to take care of herself both inside and out, go green, enjoy the freedom of intimacy with her partner. And surprisingly, to make sure she doesn’t get pregnant. It is a little-known fact that the second-highest rates of unplanned pregnancies next to teens occur in women over 40.
The Bedroom is for More than Sleeping
Seizing the “midlife moment” for women in these middle years includes having sex – 65% are interested in keeping up a healthy sex life. That’s good news! But, many women have stopped using contraception entirely by age 35, according to the survey, leaving themselves vulnerable to an unplanned pregnancy.
While most women have taken The Pill in the past, just 24% of women between 35 and 49 are still on it. The new survey indicated that many of the women stopped because they didn’t like being on a hormonal contraceptive pill. The majority of women surveyed feel they live a healthier lifestyle without taking birth control pills. Most are looking for a reliable birth control method, and prefer options that are both hormone-free and long-term, such as the intrauterine contraceptive (IUC) ParaGard. More and more women are looking for a “greener” birth control method, and expressing concern for the impact of hormones on the environment.
Going “Greener”
At midlife, women often place greater importance on how their actions impact the environment compared to when they were younger, and are going green at home and at the store. In fact, 60% of women recycle more now, and more than half use green bags or buy more “green” or eco-friendly products.
Tomorrow: Midlife is No Crisis for Today’s Women – Part 2
*****
Donna Henes is the author of The Queen of My Self: Stepping into Sovereignty in Midlife. She is the Midlife Midwife™ offering counseling and upbeat, practical and ceremonial guidance for individual women and groups who want to enjoy the fruits of an enriching, influential, purposeful, passionate, and powerful maturity. Consult the MIDLIFE MIDWIFE™
The Queen welcomes questions concerning all issues of interest to women in their mature years. Send your inquiries to thequeenofmyself@aol.com.
Read Previous Post