Introduction
Middle age is an essential stage in everyone’s life. This period is characterized by specific physical, social, and cognitive changes. Additionally, over the past 40 years, an increase in the workload of men and women in middle age has been observed. This essay will examine the physical, social, and cognitive changes characteristic of middle age and investigate how these changes impact the physiological stage of generativity in comparison to stagnation.
Physical Changes
In middle age, men and women experience specific physical changes. By the end of this stage, they usually experience a decrease in effort and muscle mass. This can decrease their physical activity and force them to engage in more sedentary sports such as walking or tennis.
Women, on the other hand, go through menopause during this period. This leads to changes in the hormonal balance, which can manifest as appetite disturbances, a slowing of metabolism, and weight gain. For women in this period, regular physical exercises such as yoga, aerobics, or swimming would be an excellent solution.
Social Changes
In middle age, men and women also experience social changes (Oschwald et al., 2019). For men, this can mean transitioning into more responsible roles, and for women, it can involve more active participation in the labor force and the establishment of prestigious professions. Both genders may also experience social isolation as they may be isolated from others in their age group, especially in later years.
Cognitive Changes
In middle age, men and women also experience changes in their cognitive abilities, including thinking and memory. For example, individuals with this condition may experience difficulty focusing on details, have disorganized thoughts, and struggle to perceive information (Oschwald et al., 2019). Such cognitive changes may have consequences for their physiological stage of generativity compared to stagnation, as they may become less effective in their work and other activities.
Impact of Modern Work Requirements on Middle Adults
Over the past 40 years, men and women in middle age have faced increased workloads due to rising demands for social and professional activities. For example, men may need to extend their working lives for a long time to achieve prosperity, while women may require more time to maintain equal career stability (Oschwald et al., 2019). In addition, today, many people in their middle ages do not have enough time for regular physical exercise or healthy eating, which can also lead to a deterioration in their physical health.
Causes and Implications of Cognitive Changes
Cognitive changes typically observed in middle-aged adults, both men and women, can often be linked to aging and neuronal decline. These changes include reduced capacity for information recall, memory deterioration, decreased cognitive function, slower thinking and reaction times, and reduced attention and focus. These changes can lead to reduced independence, memory disorders, and problems adapting to new situations and environments. These changes can also have a significant impact on the physiological stage of generativity, which begins with the aging process.
During this process, brain productivity, speed of information processing, and memory gradually decrease. Intellectual potential and creativity can also decline, leading to a loss of self-control and difficulties with problem-solving (Oschwald et al., 2019). All of these changes can seriously affect health and well-being in old age.
Conclusion
Middle age is a crucial stage in everyone’s life, marked by specific physical, social, and cognitive changes. Over the past 40 years, an increase in the workload of middle-aged individuals has been observed, including both men and women. These changes may influence the physiological phase of generativity, as opposed to stagnation. Therefore, it is essential to remember that regular physical and social activity is necessary to maintain health in middle age.
Reference
Oschwald, J., Guye, S., Liem, F., Rast, P., Willis, S., Röcke, C.,… & Mérillat, S. (2019). Brain structure and cognitive ability in healthy aging: a review on longitudinal correlated change. Reviews in the Neurosciences, 31(1), 1-57.