Midlife Crisis? Try a Haircut

First, let me start off by saying that I have no intention of trivializing anyone’s emotional state. A haircut isn’t the cure-all to any situation, but it’s not uncommon for many people to reach a certain age and find themselves at a loss to deal with the routine they feel their lives have become. Perhaps it’s motivated by the “empty nest” syndrome, or a particular age milestone, even some medical wake up call. It may just be a case of the doldrums. Whatever the reason, sometimes simple things can make a major difference.

A lot of how we feel about ourselves comes as a result of how we feel others perceive us. If we think others see us as “old” we’re more likely to feel old. Often, a part of the trouble is that we aren’t doing enough to keep from perpetuating these perceptions. We get complacent with our looks, when we could easily make ourselves feel better by doing little things for ourselves.

One of these things is a change in style. Ask yourself these three questions: How long have I had this current hairstyle? Is there gray? Is the color the same shade as when I was 20? (Even without grey it shouldn’t be.)

By asking these questions, you can often make yourself aware of just how long you’ve been in a rut. If you’re still styling your hair (and having cut the same way) for more than two years, you may need to reevaluate. If you have a simple, classic cut (such as a blunt bob) you may think that you’re set for life, but the fact is that finishing techniques and texturing effects are constantly evolving and you need to keep current in order to avoid looking out-of-date. This doesn’t mean emulating every trend your college age daughter and her friends are wearing, but rather working with your stylist to keep your look “fresh” and “flattering”.

And if you color your hair and have been using the same shade of color for more than 5 years, you should look at going a little lighter. The colors of pigment in our hair tend to change as we age, and lines and wrinkles in the face are enhanced by darker colors. If you’re hanging on to your brunette hue from your college days, and you’re into your forties, you may not be doing yourself any favors.

See also: Hairstyles for older women