Faya Sanders Feel like you’re slowly approaching midlife crises? There’s hardly any time for that! You have plenty of things to do in order to smoothen your path to your golden years. Below are five essential areas to work on in order to improve your adult life.
1. Evaluate your financial status
A financial plan is something that you should start caring about in your 20s, but if you still haven’t figured it out, consider it urgent. If you have installments or student loan debt you should speed up payment (or at least consider consolidating your student loans) and then focus on your retirement plan. Moreover, you should start emergency savings account to rely on in case of an accident or disease.
But first of all, you need to begin acknowledging the limits of your income and eliminate credit card debt, because no matter how nice your bank packs this possibility, it all reduces to the fact that your spending more than you are producing.
2. Health is a priority
You can probably notice your first signs of aging and if you want to enjoy an active life any, many years from now on, you have to work on forming good habits. You’ve heard a million times about the benefits of a balanced diet and regular exercising and it must be for a reason.
Also, extending your basic health insurance is a smart move to make. An extras cover includes dental treatment, chiropractic treatment, eye check-ups, and remedial massage, but also prosthesis, hearing aids or pharmaceuticals not covered by the BPS. Most of these services and medical devices are pricey and buying a cover will protect you from the possible financial drain.
3. Slow down
A study from The University of Adelaide shows that half of 1,011 surveyed Australians reported having two or more sleep-related problems. Sleep deprivation and continuous tension can lead to chronic fatigue syndrome and other associated diseases.
So take all your free days from work and don’t join that new project, let the juniors show their capabilities. Leave the party early. Sleep an extra hour on weekend days. Plan relaxation moments – a cup of tea, a few pages from your favorite magazine, a walk in the park, a hike. If you have kids, don’t be afraid to leave them over the weekend with your parents, a nanny or a friend. Schedule your resting time, don’t wait to break down.
4. Make a realistic life plan
Do you own a home or are your living conditions stable? Are you thinking about downsizing later in life or even moving to a quieter and cheaper area? Can you picture a long-time plan for you and your partner? Do you have a retirement plan? Will you be able to keep your current job until retirement? If not, do you have any second plan? Will you be able to support your parents if they need assistance?
For the more impulsive types, thinking of so many possibilities might feel like a paranoid act, but creating life scenarios will enable you to take some general precautions for future unpleasant situations. Moreover, this step helps you maintain a flexible attitude towards possible life challenges.
5. Work on your relationships
Most people go through their busiest times after their 30’s: job promotions, getting married, becoming a parent. These changes often involve relocation, sleep deprivation and result in a narrower social circle.
High school friends, college friends, ex-colleagues from your previous jobs, old neighbors you used to keep in touch with – how many of them are still around? Though there might be going on with your life, keeping close a network of friends and acquaintances will help you better deal with life changes and loss.
Last, but not least, take it easy. One of the main reasons for midlife crises is the pressure people put on themselves for not feeling accomplished enough, forgetting that there’s still time for improvement.
