Studies Show Unhappiness Peaks at Age 47: Here’s How to Avoid It

As people, particularly men, become older and settle into the latter portion of their lives, something odd begins to happen: Although they’ve achieved a lot and marked tasks off their bucket lists, they still feel the bitter sting of unhappiness. With each day that passes by, an underlying sense of anxiety begins to mount and manifest itself.

For most individuals, this comes in the form of irritability, low sex drive, a sense of regret and depression-like symptoms that make them feel lethargic. If middle-aged unhappiness is currently gripping your waking hours and causing hopelessness, here’s how you can take control of your life once more.

Relax, It’s Normal

For readers who may be worried that they’re the “odd man out” when dealing with middle-aged regret and sadness, you can breathe a sigh of relief. Science shows that happiness peaks in our teenage years and dwindle between 18 and 47, but it rebounds later in life. And if you’re honest with yourself for a moment, your pre-teen and teenage years were, more often than not, filled with adventure, romance, excitement and optimism for each new day.

When scientists and social researchers began to study this phenomenon, they started to find a link between precommitments, finances and overall happiness. While older individuals have money, a stable career and the ability to flourish with their finances, responsibilities cause them to feel stress and anxiety like never before.

Moreover, improving one’s earnings causes individuals to compare themselves to neighbors, friends, coworkers and distant family members. In a general sense, the more money people earn, the more they realize that they could be doing a great deal more to generate more revenue. This comparison causes unwanted stress on their systems and creates a sense of unhappiness within their psyche.

All of these factors come to a head around the age of 47 or 48. When this occurs, people often experience an “aha” moment when they realize chasing financial objects and achievements isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Researchers found that people who lead hopeful and fun lifestyles practice the following:

• Keep a handful of close friends
• Appreciate what they have and don’t compare achievements to others
• Spend time assisting the needy and helping others
• Exercise regularly
• Eat healthy foods
• Drop their outcome-dependent mindset

We know that it’s not easy to become a positive person overnight, but if you practice these habits or mindsets daily, the world will become your oyster.

Hormonal Unhappiness

Did you know that men go through a unique equivalent of menopause? Although menopause is often associated with female biology, studies now show that men suffer from hormonal imbalance in subtle ways. Do you experience any of these symptoms regularly?

• Random irritability
• Low sex drive
• Weight gain
• Growth of breast tissue
• Lethargy
• Brain fog and inability to concentrate
• Frequent sweating
• Lack of strength and muscle mass
• Balding

While many men associate these side effects as natural symptoms of becoming older, they’re often an indicator that their hormones are imbalanced. Some individuals who think they’re going through a mid-life crisis would be shocked to see what a blood test could reveal about their testosterone levels.

Testosterone is the sex hormone found within the system of both males and females in their adult years. While we often link the hormone with masculine-like features, women need testosterone to regulate their bone density, optimize their fertility and create a sense of equilibrium.

If male readers are experiencing unhappiness in their late 40s and want to know what’s going on, getting their testosterone levels checked may improve their life. Andropause, when left unchecked, can lead to depressive episodes and cause men to dwindle with each passing year.

Conclusion

But also know that it gets better when you become older. While the unhappiness you feel in your 40s seems overwhelming, it soon fades into the background in your 50s and 60s! If you exercise regularly, practice gratitude, keep close friends and learn to laugh, your life will improve tenfold.