The Truth About Grumpy Old Men

A recent study from Oregon state university seems to give credence to the stereotype while also offering somewhat of a goal or solution.

The study, published in the journal Psychology and Aging, looked at 1,315 men aged 53 to 85 to work out how men's mental states change as they age.

Interestingly enough, for a while the hassles that plague a man’s life begin to decrease at age 50 but after 70, although the stresses are different, they begin to rise again.

The study suggests that after 70 the slump in mood and enjoyment comes from health problems, losing loved ones and mental decline.

Good news is you do have control to a degree. According to the lead researcher Professor Carolyn Aldwin, Once you’ve turned 70, how you react to these hassles changes is somewhat dependent on your resources or your situation in life. That said she added that some men were better than others at dealing with sadness as they got older and turned to family or hobbies to ease their worries. She gave as an example, You may lose a parent, but gain a grandchild. The kids may leave the house, but you bask in their accomplishments as adults. You find value in gardening, volunteering, caregiving or civic involvement.

What I see as the upshots of this study, choose to actively stay healthy, accept the reality of loss and enjoy today more. Lastly, make it a habit to expand your life to be good to others and get outside your own head. The wheel is yours and the sooner you decide to drive the better off you’ll be.