“It must be a midlife crisis,” people often say when someone in midlife is complaining or moving through daily life in a bad mood. The term rolls off the tongue easily and is sometimes even met with a smirk. Yet recent findings suggest that a midlife crisis can be a serious psychological strain, one that may reduce quality of life and lead to noticeable limitations in everyday functioning. But what exactly is a midlife crisis?
What is a midlife crisis really?
Generally speaking, the term describes a sense of personal malaise in midlife that can manifest in both physical and psychological complaints and, in some cases, develop into conditions such as depression or an anxiety disorder. Other symptoms may include a general dissatisfaction with one’s life situation, the feeling of not having “really lived,” dread of growing older, or doubts and regret about one’s life choices.
Even though there is no clearly defined time frame, surveys show that overall well-being slowly declines for many people from their mid-30s into their 40s, with satisfaction gradually increasing again afterward. Researchers refer to this pattern as the “U-shaped curve of happiness”: in childhood and adolescence, people tend to feel more satisfied, buoyed by hopes, ideals, dreams, and positive expectations. Later in life, however, we often compare our wishes with reality. If that comparison turns out negatively, it can lead to frustration.
While many doors still seem open in youth and the world feels boundless and full of possibilities, more and more opportunities narrow in early adulthood. Not everything can be achieved, and certain dreams and plans have to be let go if they no longer fit one’s lived reality. At some point, many people feel disappointed by their past or by the possibilities available in the present, and struggle to process these feelings, let alone look to the future with hope.
Midlife: A time that’s prone to crisis
Despite individual differences and diverse life paths, midlife is generally shaped by major, meaningful changes. This makes it a particularly vulnerable phase, often accompanied by self-doubt, frustration, and a loss of confidence. Conflicts can arise on many levels, for example in relationships, within the family, or at work.
At the same time, the body changes in significant ways: muscle mass decreases, hair thins or falls out, and increased fat accumulation and wrinkles may appear. These physical changes can heighten our awareness of mortality, and the end of youth becomes ever more tangible, and sometimes painful.
The strongest common thread in many midlife crisis experiences is the question of meaning: Is my work meaningful? What contribution am I making? What is the purpose of my life?
A midlife crisis, then, is more than a trendy buzzword that people use jokingly as a synonym for a bad mood in midlife. It is an age-related form of dissatisfaction that can be a risk factor for a wide range of health problems, and it affects many people. So what can we do to navigate midlife in a grounded, solution-focused way?
How can I prevent a midlife crisis?
Preventively, it can help to prepare consciously for this life stage.
A central point is this: take responsibility for yourself, for your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. People who approach life with an open, active mindset and anticipate change tend to find it easier to adjust to new phases of life.
It can be different for those who strongly prioritize security, fixed structures, and routines, and who tend to avoid change, or don’t want to talk about it.
What helps you stay steady through this phase
- Set age-appropriate goals: realistic, flexible, and motivating
- Build and maintain a supportive social network
- Practice acceptance: acknowledge change instead of pushing it away
- Strengthen self-efficacy: what can I influence, and what can’t I?
- Talk about it and seek support: through conversations with trusted people or with professional help (therapists/coaches), and by naming your feelings and doubts consciously instead of suppressing them
Other key building blocks for greater stability
- Focus on your resources and achievements
- Strengthen resilience (e.g., stress skills, breaks, routines)
- Develop an open attitude toward new experiences
- Consider an age-appropriate change in tasks or activities if things no longer fit
- Take care of your health (sleep, exercise, nutrition, check-ups)
Invest in mental and physical fitness
Midlife as an opportunity for growth
In summary, midlife, with all its varied challenges, can be a potential strain, but also a major opportunity. When old doors close, new possibilities can open, bringing fresh momentum and enriching experiences. The second half of life can be more fulfilling than many people expect.
As long as we reflect on our lives, take responsibility for ourselves, and focus on our resources, we are already on a good path. If we take sensible precautions and meet challenges with a solution-oriented mindset, we can grow through this phase of life and gain inner strength and serenity. Midlife is full of potential for development, and we just have to recognize it and use it for ourselves. Good luck on your journey!
Further information on the topic can be found here:
Carr, D., & Pudrovska, T. (2016). Midlife and mental health. In H. S. Friedman (Ed.), Encyclopedia of mental health (2nd ed., pp. 133–136). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-397045-9.00109-9
Gondek, D., Bernardi, L., McElroy, E., & Comolli, C.L.(2024). Why do Middle-Aged Adults Report Worse Mental Health and Wellbeing than Younger Adults? An Exploratory Network Analysis of the Swiss Household Panel Data. Applied Research Quality Life 19, 1459–1500. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-024-10274-4
Henking, C., & Gondek, D. (2023). Social determinants of mental health trajectories during midlife: A prospective British birth cohort study. The Lancet, 402(Suppl 1), S48. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)02129-3