Men and women at midlife are in a time of change; physical mental and emotional. When you get to your late 40s and early 50s the body is maturing and, depending on your lifestyle, you might start noticing some wear and tear. The male and female reproductive hormones are in decline and this can lead to changes in weight, body shape, mood and the symptoms related to menopause and andropause (male menopause).
At the same time there may be changes in your family life as children grow up and leave home (and return!) and ageing parents need more support. There may also be changes in close relationships. More couples than ever are splitting up at midlife. There may also be bereavements and new relationships.
All of this raises the awareness of men and women in their 50s of the passage of time and can lead to a review of where you are in your life, what you have achieved and what you are going to do about retirement.
Research has found that 62% of women and men over 50 want to continue working beyond pension age. This may be due to financial pressures as pension pots reduce and retirement age increases. It may also be for positive reasons as people in the second half of their lives feel healthier, more energised and more experienced than they have in previous generations.
The latest research suggests that those ending work younger are more likely to die earlier than those staying in jobs. Retirees who worked just a year over the age of 65 had an 11% lower ‘all-cause mortality’ risk.
But what if you are not enjoying your work and can’t face the idea of carrying on into your late 60s? Is it time to think about reinventing yourself and starting a new career or a new enterprise? Do you have an unfulfilled dream?
It is never too late to pursue your dream. If you want to change your career make sure that you choose something that you really enjoy. Take some time to think about what your purpose in life is. What really lights you up? Is there a problem people have that you have noticed that you could solve? What do you want to be remembered for? What talents and capabilities do you already have that you would like to use more?
Once you have carried out this review take action. ‘Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world’, Japanese proverb. Create your plan and take at least one action every day to move towards your goal.
Make this second half of your life healthy and happy.

air date: 9/30/16