As women in midlife, we often focus on diet, exercise, medical checkups, and maybe even self-care activities during the week. But did you know that your mindset—the way you think about challenges, changes, and aging—may impact your health just as much as your lifestyle habits?
Two powerful mindset shifts can make a big difference. Moving from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset and choosing to be proactive instead of reactive in your thoughts and decisions are game changers.
Fixed vs Growth Mindset
What do those terms mean?
A fixed mindset believes abilities, intelligence, and even health are “set in stone.” You may hear your inner voice saying things like:
- “This is just how my body is now.”
- “I’m too old to change.”
- “I’ll never be good at that.”
This way of thinking can create stress, limit opportunities, and keep you stuck.
A growth mindset, however, recognizes that skills, health, and even habits can be improved with effort, learning, and persistence. Instead of “I can’t,” it says, “I can’t yet” or “I can learn. I can grow. I can try.”
Studies show that women who embrace a growth mindset not only report better emotional health, but also have lower levels of stress hormones and greater resilience in facing life changes.
Proactive vs Reactive Thinking
Reactive thinking is when you live in “response mode”—letting circumstances, stress, or other people dictate your actions. This is simply “putting out fires” as they happen which often leads to anxiety, emotional eating, or feeling “out of control.”
Proactive thinking is choosing your response ahead of time, guided by your values and long-term goals. It is pausing, breathing, and asking: “What choice supports the woman I want to become?”
Science backs this up. Research from the National Institutes of Health shows that proactive coping skills are linked to lower blood pressure, better sleep, and improved emotional well-being.
Faith and Mindset
Romans 12:2 reminds us of this: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Shifting your mindset is not just psychological, mental, emotional, or physical. It’s also spiritual. It’s an act of faith to believe that God can transform your thoughts and renew your strength.
Simple Ways to Promote a Growth & Proactive Mindset
- Replace “I can’t” with “I can’t yet” or “I can learn.”
- Pause and pray before reacting.
- Write down one way you grew from a recent challenge.
- Set an intention each morning: “Today I will choose growth by _____.” For example, by walking for 5 minutes at lunch or drinking a cup of water when I feel hungry. Or “I will respond with grace by ____.” Example – not becoming angry when someone cuts me off in traffic. Or not assuming my husband doesn’t care when he forgets to call if he’s late coming home from work. See how different those ways of thinking are!
Midlife can be a powerful time of renewal and learning to be resilient if you allow yourself to grow and choose proactive living. If you’d like to learn how to work on your mindset but need help, reach out to me. This is one area I focus on when working with clients. I’d love to chat with you and see what you need, too. Click here to set up a free 20-minute consult.
Leah Cheshire is a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach and retired speech-language pathologist and homeschooler. After having numerous health issues herself, she embarked on a wellness journey using various nutrition and lifestyle modifications. She then decided to return to school to help others. Leah now works primarily with midlife women who have hormonal problems, weight and digestive issues, brain fog, and fatigue by helping them decrease symptoms and improve their overall health. If you need help from someone who, not only has helped clients but who also has been in your shoes, reach out today to set up a free 20-minute session. Click here to schedule.
