The Bethany Provincialate, Vamanjoor organized a one-day programme on “Mid-life Crisis and Mental Wellness” with the aim of focusing on emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being during mid-life.
In her address Sr Lilly Pereira, the Provincial Superior, highlighted the importance of mental wellness, self-awareness, and inner balance, especially during the mid-life phase. She emphasized that mid-life is a season of wisdom and love, a time of energy and productivity. It is an age when Individuals become more responsible, develop a deeper sense of belongingness. Celebrate life, grow more reflective and cultivate inner silence. She encouraged the Sisters to balance themselves, experience inner freedom. Sr Dr Joan, the resource person, led engaging sessions on navigating mid-life challenges, managing crises, and cultivating mindfulness. She focused on understanding mid-life challenges and emotional transitions. She explained the different levels of crisis such as developmental crisis, mid –life crisis, the afternoon of life, and the diminishing of certain senses. She also highlighted the symptoms of mid-life crisis and suggested positive ways of handling them, including positive self-talk, talking to someone, mapping Influences, identifying unique outcomes, reorganizing one’s conversations, and creating personal documents.
Participants were then encouraged to discuss and share their concerns. The sisters raised meaningful questions such as:
- How to adjust with different age groups?
- How to live community life with a positive attitude?
- How to keep the mind calm and healthy amidst disturbing surroundings?
- How to heal oneself?
Following this, the resource person guided the participants in practicing Cognitive Diffusion Therapy.
In the afternoon session, Mindfulness Meditation was conducted to help participants experience calmness and inner awareness. The participants were then divided into six – groups to share their learning’s and discuss what practices they would incorporate into their personal lives.
The programme featured insightful discussions, practical guidance, and mindfulness exercises, empowering participants to face mid-life transitions with renewed strength and hope.
