When today's man enters into soft middle-age, there are a number of things happen to him over the years that follow, some good and others not so good. He may progress into a mid-life crisis of sorts or suffer the so called male menopause, aka man-o-pause. He may also begin to regret past mistakes and start to have fears of an uncertain future.
So just how do middle-aged men get the best out of those middle years?
Living Life as a Middle-age Man
What is middle-age? To define it specifically it is a period of mid-life that spans for 20 years starting at age 45 and ending at 65. However, even though these ages are grouped into the same age category, there is nonetheless a huge difference between a man of 45 and one of 65. During these 20 years of ageing, changes will take place, both physically and psychologically.
Common Signs of Ageing Men
The most dreaded period of soft middle age, i.e. 45 to 55, is the noticeable signs of ageing. At or around 50 years, the ageing process actually doubles in pace and will continue to do so up till about 85 years, after which time it slows right down or stops altogether, depending on the individual. The common signs of ageing are:
Having said all of this, there are ways to slow down the ageing process by taking good personal care of one's diet and skin. Perhaps one of the most effective, yet simple ways to keep body and mind as youthful as possible, is to stay hydrated all the times.
Middle-aged Men need to Drink more Water and Less Beer
Far too many middle-aged men overlook the importance of drinking plenty of water on a daily basis. In fact a middle age man living in a western country is likely to drink more beer than he does water, yet alcohol will actually cause, not cure, dehydration.
Men who are dehydrated will likely have the following health issues:
WORRY – The Silent Killer?
Worrying about ageing will only speed up the process. This is especially true if it becomes an obsession, as it certainly can do with those men going through a mid-life crisis, or the Andropause (the male equivalent of the female menopause). Being middle-aged is not all about impending heart disease, prostate cancer checks, rotting teeth and hair loss, although the onset of some of these can be encouraged with persistent worry.
We die if we worry and we die if we don't. So why worry?
Not worrying about ageing (and other things life can throw at us), is sometimes easier said than done. Even so, it's definitely worth trying to worry 'less'. Apprehension, anxiety, and fear of the inevitable, can bring on both physical and psychological health concerns, which in turn will speed up the ageing process even more.
Mid-life Man and the Yo-yo Diet
Another health concern for men over 45 is the difficulty in controlling their weight as they grow older. Men might not get big bottoms and hefty thighs like their female counterparts, but they often get unsightly and uncomfortable protruding stomachs, usually mocked as beer bellies even if beer isn't the root cause.
A more embarrassing sign of aging for today's self conscious middle aged man is that of enlarged breasts (also known as moobs, man boobs, or their technically correct name of gynecomastia. Another problem for overweight men is bloated faces and fatty necks.
Going on, and coming off diets of various types will only make a man look older, faster! You see, as we age, the skin loses its elasticity, and therefore takes longer to spring back into place, if at all. So when it's repeatedly stretched by weight-gain and then loosened by weight-loss, the result can be one of a baggy appearance. Slack, skin does nothing to maintain a younger look, so it should not be encouraged for those folks trying to look their age, or younger than their years.
Lifestyle Changes at Middle Age
It is only when maturing men make a change in lifestyle that they are able to maintain their preferred weight. This can mean uncomfortable sacrifices for some. Observing middle-aged men in the twenty-first century indicates that the majority of them are just not prepared to give up those foods and beverages that they've enjoyed for so many years, not even when the benefits are obvious.
If a man reaches a point where he wants to be in good physical shape MORE than he wants to eat and drink those things that are keeping him overweight, then, and only then, is he going to be able to make the switch over to a healthier, lifestyle.
Studies on improved lifestyle changes have indicated that the physical decline in middle-aged men, and older, can be slowed down considerably by adopting a healthier way of living. But still there are many men that are just not prepared to cut down, or cut out, those creature comforts that they've become so accustomed to over a lifetime.
Finding the Balance
As men grow older, the main concern should not be that of chasing lost youth, but one of looking as good as they possibly can do for their age. Ageing is both natural and just, so taking care of appearance and respecting the body accordingly, is a great way to accept what is.
No matter how hard ageing men yearn for lost youth, the fact of the matter is that those tight buttocks, firm stomach, thick head of hair, and porcelain skin, have left them for good. But it's not all bad news.
A happy and fulfilling midlife can be experienced when a man accepts those things he cannot change, and changes those things he can do something about, such as personal grooming, dress, and weight control.
Those men who embrace life have a certain glow about them that radiates a positive aura and helps keep them looking young for their years. For men who become bitter, resentful, out of shape, and miserly during these middle years, the opposite is true.
Summary
A maturing man can control, to a large extent, the way he carries and cares for himself. Those that do a good job are the ones who are happier and healthier for longer. In other words, men of middle-age are pretty much captains of their own ship, and they will live these 20 years of mid-life based on their perception of themselves, those around them, and the world at large.
Andy Aitch is a middle-aged man who has experienced and overcome various addictions during his lifetime. Now a clean living health & fitness fanatic, his mission is to share his experience, strength and optimism through his website for middle-aged men. 50ish.org is a place where fellows can meet and interact on topical men's issues